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MEANS 


OF 


PRESERVING HEALTH^ 

AND 

PREVENTING DISEASES: 


Founded principally on an attention to 

AIR AND CLIMATE, DRINK, FOOD, SLEEP, EX¬ 
ERCISE, CLOTHING, PASSIONS OF THE MIND, 
AND RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

With an Appendix, containing observations on Bathing, Cleanli¬ 
ness, Ventilation, and Medical Electricity; and on the Abuse 
of Medicine. Enriched with apposite extracts from the best 
Authors. Designed not merely for Physicians, but for the Infor¬ 
mation of others. To which is annexed, a Glossary of the Tech** 
nical Terms contained in the Work. 



% SH/^DR.4CIJ IlICKETSON, 

PHYSICIAN IN NEW-YORK. 

NEW-YORK r 

PRINTEB BV COLLINS, PERKINS, AND CO. SOLD BY THEM, S, 
STAN3BURY, T. AND J SWORDS, S. WOOD, I. RILEY, NEW- ' 
YORK. KIMBER AND CONRAD, J. CRUKSHANK, PHI¬ 
LADELPHIA. CRAIG AND ENGLES, BALTIMORE, 

D. WEST, BOSTON. O. D. COOKE, HARTFORD. 

A. SHERMAN, NEW-BEDFORD. WEBSTERS 
AND SKINNER, ALBANY, AND O. 

PENNYMAN, TROY. 


1806 , 



District of Jsfew-York^ ss» 

Be it remembered, That on the twenty- 
t* s» ninth day of August, in the thirty-first 
year of the Independence of the United 
States of America, Siiadrach Ricketson, of the said 
District, hath deposited in this Office the title of a book, 
the right whereof he claims as Author in the words fol- 
Jowing, to wit: 

“ Means of preserving Health and preventing Dis¬ 
eases: Founded principally on an attention to Air and 
Climate, Drink, Food, Sleep, Exercise, Clothing, Pas¬ 
sions of the Mind, and Retentions and Excretionsv 
With an Appendix, containing Observations on Bathing, 
Cleanliness, Ventilation, and Medical Electricity; and 
on the Abuse of Medicine. Enriched with apposite ex¬ 
tracts from the best Authors. Designed not merely for 
Physicians, but for the information of others. To which 
is annexed, a Glossary of the Technical Terms contained 
in the Work*—^By Shadbach Ricketson, Physician 
in Nevv-York.'’ 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the 
United States, entitled “ An Act for the Encouragement 
of Learning, by siecuring the copies of Maps, Charts and 
Books to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies 
during the times therein mentionedand also to an 
Act entitled “ An Act supplementary to an Act entitled 
‘ An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by secur¬ 
ing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the Au¬ 
thors and Proprietors of such copies during the times 
therein mentioned,’ and'extending the benefits thereof 
to the arts of Designing, Engraving and Etching histo¬ 
rical and other prints.” 

EDWARD DUNSCOMB, 

Clerk of the District of Mn ^Tork, 


MECOMMENDJTIOm. 



WE, the subscribers, having examined a Treatise 
on the Means of preserving health abd of prevent¬ 
ing diseases,” composed by Doctor Shadrach Ilick- 
etson of this city, embrace with pleasure the pre¬ 
sent opportunity of giving it our decided and public 
approbation. The style of the work is performed 
in so plain and intelligible a manner that it may be 
readily comprehended by every person of ordinary 
information ; the principles inculcated ate tiiiiform- 
ly supported by well adapted quotations from the 
best authors on the subject, forming in the whole a 
collection of facts and opinions well worthy the at¬ 
tention of every class of society. 

JNICHS. ROMAYNE, 

JAMES TILLARY, 

JOHN R. B. RODGERS, 
WRIGHT POST, 

WILLIAM HAMERSI.EY, 
JAMES S. STRIINGHAM, 
william MOORE, 
VALENTI lSE SEAMAN. 

New-York, Sept. 1, 180t). 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


New~York, September 3800. 

Sir, 

I HAVE perused the work you have put into my 
hands, relative to the Means of preserving health 
and of preventing diseases.” 

It appears to me to be arranged in a perspicuous 
manner, and to contain principles which will re¬ 
ceive general approbation. 

You have also very judiciously availed yourself 
of the observations of some, of the ablest writers of 
the present day, which will give an additional va¬ 
lue to your work, especially with those wdio may 
not have access to the originals. 

Accept, Sir, my best wishes fpr the success of 
your undertaking, 

Your humble servant, 

DAVID HOSACK^ 

Dr. Ricketson. 


INTRODUCTION. 


While the minds of many are much engaged 
in speculative and political matters, 1 would call 
their attention to a subject of no less importance^ 
though too generally disregarded. ,I mean the 
preservation of health: a blessing, like many 
others, which few sufficiently prize till they are de¬ 
prived of it: and, as it is evident, that diseases are 
much more easily prevented than -cured, 1 have 
thrown together the following observations on ihe 
subject, hoping that they will, at least, show .he 
necessity, and, perhaps, the means of alleviating 
or lessening the number of disorders to which the 
human body is liable. 

It appears from medical history, that there “was 
anciently a class of physicians, called Hygieinists, 
who attended people only in health, in order to 
preserve it, and to prevent diseases. The tempe¬ 
raments of the constitution; the air in wffiich we 
live; the food that we eat; the houses in which we 
dwell; the changes in the functions of the body, 
and those changes to which different ages, seasons, 
climes, &c. expose people, were the objects of 
their attention. 

Although these practitioners have become ex¬ 
tinct in this age, yet there is good reason to believe, 
that they might be usefully revived and re-establish¬ 
ed; and that they would, in great measure, fre¬ 
quently supersede the necessity of the therapeutle 
or curative physicians of the present day. 

'A 2 


IV 


INTRODUCTION. 


Medicine^ in its extended sense^ includes the 
prevention, as well as the cure and alleviation of 
diseases; and is divided into the following branches, 
]. Phjsiologia ; 2. Pathalogia; 3. Semeiotica; 
4. Hygieine; 5. Therapeutica. 

Without explaining all those parts, it will be 
sufficient for my present purpose to say, that it is 
the fourth division, or Hygieine, that is the parti¬ 
cular subject of this w^ork; and is defined to be 
that branch of medicine which treats of health, 
and points out the proper means and remedies, 
with their use, in preserving it. 

Neither the nature, nor length of my subject, 
requires it to be reduced to systematic order. I 
have, however, thought proper to arrange it under 
the following heads, viz. Air and Climate, Drink, 
Food, Sleep, Exercise, Clothing, Passions of the 
Mind, and Retentions and Excretions. These 
comprehend what are known in medicine by the 
singular name of Nonnaturals: but as I do not 
write merely for the information of physicians, 1 
Iiave mostly avoided technical phrases, and have 
endeavoured to adapt the language to the capacities 
of every person, within whose povv^er, the means 
of preserving' health, , and preventing diseases, in 
great measure, consist. 

As, however, some medical and difficult terms 
have unavoidably occurred throughout the work, 
both in my own composition, and in that of the 
extracts, 1 have annexed a Glossary, containing 
,an explanation of them; presuming it will rendei; 
it more generally acceptable and useful. 

As comporting with the general object and plan 
of the work, I have subjoined an Appendix, con- 
•^TOing obseiTtitious oii Bathing; Cleanliness^ 


introduction; 


T 

tilation, and Medical Electricity; and on the Abuse 
ot‘ Medicine. 

The prophylaxis, or prevention of diseases, is a 
subject too generally overlooked, and of too much 
importance to pass unnoticed by attendants and 
nurses, as well as practitioners; for, though in 
acute diseases, patients generally have the advice 
of physicians, yet, even then, the dietetic part or* 
regimen is often neglected or omitted; and, in 
chronic disorders, as well as in health, more fre* 
cjuently depends on an attention to the nonnaturals^ 
than the whole materia medica. 

Though the prophylactic part of medicine be 
the title, and form the principal design of the 
work, yet in the course of it, digressions will some¬ 
times be observed to the therapeutic or curative 
part; as one symptom or slight disorder being ob¬ 
viated on its first appearance, often prevents a 
more fixed or obstinate disease from'settling on 
the constitution: and hence, the care and treatment 
may still come under the title of Means of pre¬ 
serving Health, and preventing Diseases.’^ 

The authors whom I have mostly quoted, are 
Drs. Percival, J. Fothergill, Leake, Willich, Cullen^ 
and Rush: practical writers of established reputa¬ 
tion, and wlio stand foremost on the subjects on 
which they wrote. I have also made various ex¬ 
tracts from the Encyclopedias of Hall and Ken¬ 
dal; and from the Encyclopedia Britannica: works 
which are no less instructive in medicine, than in 
other departments of science. 

The several extracts may be distinguished by the 
usual marks of the quotation affixed to them, 
These now form a considerable part of the work. 

It was not my original intention to insert many 

quotations; but finding the opinions of several emir 


INTRODUCTION. 


vi 

nent authors so exactly to correspond with my owtij 
I have thought proper to add them at full length, 
in order to confirm and enforce my ideas; and, 
for that reason, 1 have myself been less particular 
on some subjects, especially in pointing out the 
nature and remote causes of disorders; someknow^ 
ledge of which is necessary, in the preservation of 
health, and prevention of diseases. 

It may appear to some, that I have adduced a 
repetition of authorities on the same subjects. This 
I have done, in order more forcibly to arrest the at¬ 
tention of all -to the important subject in view, 
and to render the w^ork more extensively beneficial. 

1 might have extended my own observations, 
and have made a greater number of apposite ex¬ 
tracts; but, instead of enlarging the work, 1 have 
endeavoured to comprise it in as small a compass 
as possible. 

It is well known, that different countries have 
different diseases; and that almost every one has 
some peculiar to itself: consequently, we must sup¬ 
pose, that each climate exposes its inhabitants to 
a variety of causes which may produce its respect¬ 
ive disorders. This consideration will, it is pre¬ 
sumed, be no objection, but rather an inducement, 
to a work of this kind in America. 

As inattention to the nonnaturals is the most ge¬ 
neral cause, not only of diseases, but of debilitat¬ 
ed and impaired constitutions; and, as it is observed, 
that healthy stamina, as well as certain disorders, 
are hereditary, it ought to be an additional reason 
for the'young, as well as those more advanced in 
life, to endeavour to preserve their health, and to 
avoid imbecility, and all diseases that may be 
transmitted to posterity. 

Let not the drunkard, the epicme, or the volug- 


introduction. vim 

Itiary Say, that because he feels no immediate had 
effects from his excesses, none are ever to follow: 
he may be assured, that if he persevere, weakness, 
disease, and, perhaps, death, will, sooner or later, 
he the inevitable consequence. 

The idea of making every person his own phy¬ 
sician in the cure of diseases, appears foreign, and, 
in great measure, impracticable; but, as far as re¬ 
spects the prevention of them, and the preserva¬ 
tion of health, are, more or less, attainable by all 
who will attend to the means: to point outwhich> 
and to lead people into the observance and practice' 
of them, are the especial objects of this work. 

I am not insensible, that some of my readers 
may discern and suggest some particulars connect¬ 
ed with the preservation of health and prevention 
of diseases, which are not touched in the course 
of this work; but to treat of every collateral sub¬ 
ject that might be considered as coming under the 
general title or object of it, would extend to an¬ 
other volume; and this would frustrate my principal 
design of it, which is for general use. 

As several experienced physicians have already 
written on the subject, it may be suggested, that 
it is incapable of farther improvement; but, when 
we recollect the importance of health, and the 
great inattention that is too generally paid to it; 
and that the utility of many judicious and valua¬ 
ble observations is, in great measure, lost by the 
method in which they are arranged, and by the 
voluminous size of the works in which they are 
contained, it is presumed, that something may 
still be usefully done in reviving and exhibiting 
the subject. 

With such a view, the present volume is offered 
to the public. 


Vlli 


INTRODUCTION. 


In trifles, people are generally assiduous to pre¬ 
serve their property; but, respecting health, such 
is the indolence; or, it may be said with more 
truth than severity, the senseless indifi’erence of 
the human mind, that the true value of that ines¬ 
timable blessing is seldom known, till it is either 
greatly injured, or irretrievably lost.” Leake, 

Though the cure of diseases may, perhaps, 
most safely be confined to the members of a pro¬ 
fession devoted by education and habit to this sole 
object, yet the preservation of health must, in 
some measure, be committed to the caie and judg-; 
ment of every individual. The discussion, there¬ 
fore, of any means to obtain this end, divested, as 
it may be, of technical language and abstruse 
speculation, eannot fail of being generally inter¬ 
esting.” Aiken.. 


CONTENTS. 



OhAPTER I. Air and Climate /I 

CHAPTER 11. Drink 25 

Section 1 . Wine SI 

Section 2 . Ardent or distilled 
Spirits -* 33 

Section 3. Ale or Beer 47 

Section 4. Vinegar 49 

Section 5. Cider .50 

Section 6 . Molasses or Sugar 51 
Section 7. Milk ib. 

Section 8 . Whei/ 52 

Section 9 . Butterfnilk ib. 

CHAPTER HI. Food 58 

Section 1 . Breakfast 74 

Section 2 . Dinner 102 

Section S. Supper 137 

CHAPTER IV. Sleep 139 

CHAPTER V. Exercise 152 

CHAPTER VI. Clothing 172 

CHAPTER VH. Passions of the Mind 184 
CHAPTER Vlll. Retentions and Ex¬ 
cretions 191 

Section 1. Bij Stool I 92 

Section 2. Bij Urine 213 

Section 3. Bp Perspiration 215 

Section 4. Bp Saliva or Spittle 220 


CONTENTS, 


X 

CHAPTER IX. Summary observations 
ON THE Means of preserving Health 
AND preventing Diseases 

Section 1. Hides for the man¬ 
agement of Valetudinariam 
Section 2. Mules for those who 
enjo^ perfect Health 239 

APPENDIX. 

PART I. Observations on Bathing, Cleanli¬ 
ness, Ventilation, and Medical Electricity 245 
CHAPTER 1. Bathing ib. 

Section 1. Cold or cool Bathing 248 
Section 2. Hot or warm Bathing 0,5^ 
CHAPTER II. Cleanliness 255 

CHAPTER III. Ventilation 263 

CHAPTER IV. Medical Electricity 265 
PART H. Observations on the Abuse of Me¬ 
dicine 266 

CHAPTER I. Mercury 269 

CHAPTER H. Opium 274 

CHAPTER HI. Strong Emetics and 
Cathartics 279 

CHAPTER IV. Bitters, Astringents^ 
Aromatics, and Stimulants 283 

CHAPTER V. Blood-letting 286 

GLOSSARY 290 


MEANS 


OF 

PRESERVING HEALTH, 

AND 

PREVENTING DISEASES. 



CHAPTER I. 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 

Instead of entering into a minute cliymical 
analysis, or philosophical investigation of the na¬ 
ture, properties, and constituent parts of the at¬ 
mosphere, which would be neither instructive nor 
interesting to many, I shall confine myself mostly 
to such observations on the subject as are likely to 
be most acceptable to the generality of readers, 
and to be of the greatest practical utility. 

It may not, however, be improper to observe, 
that the ambient atmospheric air which we breathe, 
is not a simple, homogeneous, but a compound 
fluid, consisting of about twenty-seven parts of 
oxygen, or pure vital air; seventy-two of nitrogen, 
azote, or mephitic air, and one of carbonic acid 
gas, or fixed air, by weight, in the hundred. 

The first is so much purer than common atmos¬ 
pheric air, that candles will burn, and animals will 
live six or seven times longer in it; but the two last 
are both irrespirable, and highly deleterious: as is. 


2 


Ain AND CLIMATE. 


nlsoj hydrogen;, or inflammable alr^ which is the 
lightest of the whole, and is rather an artificial or 
accidental product, than a naturally constituent 
part of the atmosphere. Hence, the greater pu¬ 
rity or impurity of the air is in proportion to the 
greater or less quantity-of oxygen combined with 
those constituent parts; an instrument for observ¬ 
ing which has been discovered, called an eudio¬ 
meter. 

It has been ascertained, that a man consumes 
about one gallon of common air every minute; 
and, that during the act of respiration, a change 
takes place in the lungs, by \^ hich the blood is 
freed from a large portion of carbon, which, unit¬ 
ing with a quantity of oxygen, or pure vital air, 
constitutes what is called carbonic acid, or fixed 
air. Thus, he is constantly pouring forth from his 
lungs, and from every pore of his body, a portion 
of deadly poison to himself and others; and re¬ 
ceiving, in return, a supply of vivifying principle 
to maintain life. 

That pure air is essentially necessary to the pre¬ 
servation of health, is too evident to doubt. This 
is obvious, not only from the difference which is 
observable between the air of cities and that of the 
country, but in almost e\^ry situation; for, unless 
it be frequently changed and kept pure, healthy 
constitutions cannot be preserved so, nor valetudi¬ 
narians restored to health. 

Pure, unconfined air is requisite to the support 
of vegetable, as well as animal life; and, un¬ 
less preserved so, is as destructive to both, as stag¬ 
nant putrid water is to fish. 

Air may be deprived of its elasticity, and ren¬ 
dered impure or unfit for respiration," by various, 
means: such as, by rooms being kept long shut 


ATR AND CLIMATE. 


If 

>i\’k]ioiU sufficient ventilation; by mucli fire, and 
by many candles or lamps burning; by many 
people crowded together, especially in the night„ 
and during sleep; and by rooms being overheated, 
particularly with close stoves: all which, with the 
means of remedying them, are too obvious to need 
any particular directions, further than that such 
places should be frequently ventilated, especially 
where charcoal has been burnt; as instanees have 
occurred of persons being suffocated in places where 
it was burning. In this case, the means of 
recovery are the same as those used for restoring 
drowned people to life; but to describe these is not 
within the bounds of my present plan. 

It has been found, tlmfthe warm oppressive air 
in heated stove-rooms may be corrected, improvect,- 
and rendered more fit for respiration by the vapours 
of hot water and vinegar; by lime water, and by> 
the growth of vegetable substances of almost every 
kind: which may, therefore, be always used by, 
persons long and unavoidably confined in such, 
and other contaminated places. 

Houses may not only have the air in them ren¬ 
dered impure by the means already mentioned, but 
sitting-rooms and bed-rooms which are constantly 
used, should contain as little furniture, clothing, 
or other substances that may imbibe perspirable 
matter, or exhale noxious effluvia, as possible; 
for, besides the disagreeable sensations which the 
delicate often feel in such places, instances have 
not been wanting of the more robust being con¬ 
siderably affected by being long in them. 

The most proper time for ventilating or airing” 
rooms, must be determined, in great measure, by 
the state of the external air. When that is dry 
and favourable, it may be done in the niaruing, op 


4 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


fore part of the (fay; hut it should not be omitted 
till near^ or after sunset, especially in the latter 
part of summer, when the evening air becomes 
more unhealthy and dangerous. Sitting-rooms 
maj^, however, in hot weather, be safely left open 
during the night; but the windows of bed-rooms 
in which people are asleep, should not be far raised 
in that season; especially if they admit a current 
of air directly on the beds. 

All houses and rooms that have not been lately 
occupied, should, in cold and damp weather, have 
fires kindled in them for some time before tliey are 
dwelt in; which precaution will be more particu¬ 
larly necessary in stone and brick buildings, which 
are damper and colder, and therefore not so health¬ 
ful and comfortable as those of wood. 

It deserves to be remarked, that persons long 
confined in heated or impure air, are hardly sen¬ 
sible of it: indeed, much less so than those who 
go in from without; which shows that we ought 
not always to be governed by our own feelings, but 
should exercise our reason in preserving our health. 

The great and principal means of corrupting 
the atmosphere, and of rendering it unfit for the 
purposes of healthy life, are the numerous pro¬ 
cesses of respiration, combustion, and putrefaction 
which are so extensively carried on in the various 
departments of nature and art. 

When the air of a room becomes impure and 
unfit for respiration by any of the preceding, or 
other means, it may be rendered more pure and 
wholesome by fumigating the apartment with vi¬ 
negar, juniper berries, and the like. 

A discovery has been proposed and recommend¬ 
ed for correcting impure noxious air, and for neu¬ 
tralizing and destroying the effects of putrid and 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


5 


contagious miasma. It consists in fumigating 
with the oxy-miiriatic acid gas, which is prepared 
by mixing about three parts of common salt, one 
of black oxyd of manganese, and two of the vi¬ 
triolic acid together in a close vessel. 

The fumes of the nitrous acid, made by pouring 
the vitriolic acid on nitre placed over a gentle heat, 
have been also recommended for the same pur¬ 
pose. 

Both of these kinds of vapours, it ought to be 
remembered, are irrespirable, and so deieteriousj. 
that it will not be safe to enter rooms that have 
been fumigated with them until they have been 
'well aired. 

The advantages of this discovery being not yet 
generally known or ascertained in this countryy 
must be left for future experience to determine, 

. The confined air in deep pits, vaults-and wells, 
and in cellars wdiere liquors are fermenting, often 
becomes-highly deleterious, and has frequently oc¬ 
casioned sw'oonings, and sometimes .ev.en deaths 
Wln^refore, it will always be most prudeiU and safe, 
before entering such places,, to suspend a lighted 
torch or candle in them. If it bmn freely some 
length of time, they may be safely entered; but, if 
it go out, burn dimly, or cause a slight explosion> 
to do so, will be highly dangerous* 

The mephitic vapours in such places may be 
corrected and rendered innocuous by ventilation, 
or the admission of fresh atmospheric air, ,bv 
throwing in quicklime, and by pouring.hot w ater 
into them. Another simple.and eftectual method 
is, to fix a leathern tube of sufficient length to 
reach to the bottom of. the place, to‘the nosle of a 
pair of large bellows, which being worked i3riskly 
for some time, will expel the foul,, and introduce 
B 2 


6 


AIR AND CLIMATK. 


SO large a portion of fresh air, that a light will burn 
freely, and a person may safely enter. 

Pure, fresh air is not only necessary in preserve- 
ing health and preventing diseases, but frequently 
no less essential in curing them: indeed, so much 
so, that all medicines, without a change of air, 
often prove unavailing; particularly in agues, 
coughs, consumptions, asthmas, diarrhoeas, and 
other complaints of the bowels. And there is good 
reason to helieve, that in cities and towns, and in 
other confined and impure situations, the lives of 
many, especially of children, are lost for want 
of early and due attention to this necessary and 
important particular. 

It is observed, that the human constitution pos¬ 
sesses a remarkable power of assimilating itself to 
the air of any place in which we live: and, that 
it acquires, by habit, the power of resisting, to a 
certain degree, the effects of those causes which 
have a tendency to produce disease. Hence, it is 
remarked, that the people who remove to another 
country, are much more likely to become sickly, 
than the native inhabitants of the place, or those 
who have lived long in it. 

And, that there is a peculiar constitution of the 
air, which disposes to diseases, at certain times, 
more than at others, is too abundantly verified, 
by daily observation and experience, to admit of 
a doubt. 

It may be questioned, what climate or state of 
the air is most conducive to health? I answer, 
undoubtedly, a cold, or a temperate one; as it is 
generally observed, that cold countries, climates 
and seasons are much more healthy than hot; and, 
probably, would be still more so, were less fire or 
artificial heat used to guard against cold for we 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


V 


rarely see llie greatest degree of cold disorder the 
constitution, or produce any morbid effects, unless 
it be long continued; or be accompanied with 
moisture; or be preceded by an unusual or greater 
degree of heat; or the body be kept in an inactive 
state: wherefore, the best and most healthful pre¬ 
servatives against cold are, to keep as nearly in the 
same cool temperature of the surrounding air as 
is possible or comfortable, and to use brisk exercise 
and warm clothing': and I have accordingly found, 
that 1 can endure the winter’s cold much better by 
observing these cautions, than by keeping in 
rooms much heated, or near large fires. The great 
Dr. Boerhaave was observed rarely to sit near the 
fire. 

It would be difficult and uncertain to fix on any 
particular temperature of the air for the most 
healthful; but, according to the best of my obser¬ 
vation, I should judge that to be about the 30th 
degree of Fahrenheit’s thermometer; which is 
about the mean or standard temperature throughout 
the whole year for this country. 

Though the air and weather of this climate are 
very variable, and the cold of our winters is very 
intense, yet the latter is much less than what the 
human system is capable of bearing, and very far 
short of v;har it is in some parts of the world; as 
will appear from the writings of Dr. Ginelin, of 
Petersburgh, who went into Siberia, and spent 
nine years in inquiring into the natural history of 
that inhospitable country. 

After giving an account of the soil, rivers, lakes, 
mountains, mines, &c., he proceeds to ascertain 
the state of the air in that climate; previous to 
which he observes, that in, some places, it frequently 
snows ill the last spring and first fall months; and. 


8 


AIR AND CIIMATE^* 


that if the corn is not ready to cut in the last sum¬ 
mer months which is often the case, the snow some¬ 
times prevents it, and buries the harvest. 

At Jacutsk, in about the 62 d degree N. latitude, 
and the 130th E. longitude, he dug^a hole in the 
earthen the eighteenth of the first summer month. 
The soil was found ten or eleven inches deep: be¬ 
low that was sand between two and three feet: 
after that, all was congealed. 

He says, that the mercury often sunk in winter, 
in the southern parts of that country, to near the 
£ 26 th degree in JDe ITsle’s thermometer, which is 
equal to the 3othl-2 below 0 in Falirenheit’s; and, 
that at Kirenginski, much greater degrees of cold 
are often experienced, as will appear by the fol¬ 
lowing table. 

1756 ^ Decern. 11 , the mercury stood at the 254th 
degree in De Flsle’s, which is about 90 below 0 in 
Fahrenheit’s. 



De risk’s. 

Fahrenheit’s. 

Dec. 20, 

263 

99 

Nov. 27 , 

270 

1074^ 

Jan. 9, 

275 

113^^ 

1 Jan. 0 , 

280 

120 


These are surprising, and almost incredible de-*- 
grees of cold; and greater than have, perhaps, 
been accurately ascertained in any other part of the 
world. 

The greatest difference that I have observed, in 
the course of my meteorological observations, be¬ 
tween the extremes of heat and cold, within one 
year, in tliis country, is 115 degrees; which, were 
the change sudden, is, perhaps, greater than tW 


Alll AND CLIMATB. 


9 


human constitution would bear; but it is not yet 
sufficiently ascertained what extremes it can en¬ 
dure by habit; as, from the preceding account. 
We see that it bears much greater degrees of cold; 
and it is equally certain, that, in some climates, it 
bears much greater degrees of heat than with us. 

It is a standard axiom, wffiich will apply to 
most, or all particulars connected with the preser¬ 
vation of health, ^ That all changes should be made 
by degrees:’ which is particularly applicable to the 
state of the air, and the transitions of the wea¬ 
ther. Persons, therefore, who are much chilled 
with the cold, ought not to go suddenly into a very 
warm room, nor sit near a hot fire; but rather to 
go first into a room of moderate temperature, and 
to keep in motion for some time; and, on the con¬ 
trary, those who go from a warm apartment, ought 
not to rush suddenly into the cold air, and remain 
inactive in it, without putting on some additional 
clothing, or using some other defence. A speedy 
and safe method of reviving warmth in persons 
much chilled with cold and wet, is to apply blad¬ 
ders, filled with hot water, to the pit of the sto¬ 
mach ; and, when a limb or member has been frost¬ 
bitten, it should, instead of bringing it immedi¬ 
ately to the fire, be rubbed with snow, or be held 
for some time in fresh spring water; in which, in 
the worst cases, a little of either common salt, 
nitre, or crude sal ammoniac may be dissolved; 
and afterwards wrapped in flannel, and gradually 
w^armed. Want of attention to this has not un- 
frequently occasioned chilblains and mortifica¬ 
tions. 

The excessive heat of hot climates not only 
promotes an irregular secretion and excretion of 
the bile, but renders it peculiarly acrid and irritat- 


10 


AIR AND CLIMAtE. 


iiigy which is manifest by the frequent occurrence 
of febrile and intestinal diseases,, accompanied 
with bilious symptoms. Alb especially valetudina¬ 
rians, ought, therefore, to be particularly careful 
to avoid every extreme of heat and fatigue, and 
exposure to the evening air, even after the wann¬ 
est days; which have been frequentlj^ observed to 
be the exciting causes of those disoixlers so preva- 
lent in hot countries. 

In order to preserve health^ it is at all times ad¬ 
visable to avoid, as much as possible, exposure to 
a damp impure air, as well as all extremes of both; 
heat and cold; especially when the constitutlom 
has been previously redoced by disease, or has= 
been enervated by any debilitating cause.. 

The powerful effects of sudden changes of the^ 
weather from heat to cold, and the reverse, may¬ 
be strikingly seen in various inanimate substances,, 
such as glass, stones, and metals. 

In order to illustrate and confirm my ideas on 
the state and changes of the air on the human con¬ 
stitution, I insert the following quotations. 

As observation and experience inform us, that 
immoderate heat relaxes the body, overheats the 
blood, and exsiccates or consumes the other fluids;; 
and, that the people who live in temperate legions^ 
are more liardy and vigorous, and attain to a 
greater age than the inhabitants of w'armer cli¬ 
mates, it follows, from these premises, that we 
ought not to enervate the human body by keeping 
it immoderately warm; by covering it with a super¬ 
fluity of clothes; by plunging it unnecessarily into 
hot baths; by using strong fires in temperate wea¬ 
ther; or by sleeping in warm rooms, and, perhaps, 
on feather beds—the most heating of all substances.. 
The temperature of a sitting-room should not ex- 


H 


AIR ATsD CLIMATE. 

ceed Go degrees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer: that 
of a bed-room may be about 50 degrees^ as the 
medium temperature of our climate is between 50 
and 55 degrees. 

As we can neither breatlie nor live without 
fresh air, we ought not to withdraw onr bodies too 
much from the bracing elfects of cold. In this re¬ 
spect, we should act conformably to nature; that 
is, in the same degree as the warmer weather 
changes to a colder state, we should gradually ex¬ 
pose ourselves to the various changes of tempera¬ 
ture. The cold will then neither feel unpleasant, 
nor impede the necessary perspiration; especially if 
we oppose it with vigorous bodily exercise. 

As every sudden change of the weather from 
heat to cold, and the reverse, are prejudicial to the 
body, we ought to guard against every circum¬ 
stance by which perspiration may be suddenly 
checked. Hence, we never should remove from 
a strongly heated apartment into a fresh and cold 
air, unless we are provided with a warmer dress: 
in hot days, or after violent exercise, we should 
•not frequent vaults, cellars, or ice-houses; undress 
immediately after overheating the body; take rest 
upon a damp soil, or upon stones; nor bathe in 
cold water. 

Many diseases originate from an impure at¬ 
mosphere; but a still greater number from the sud¬ 
den changes of the temperature of the air. Hence, 
the necessity of exposing ourselves daily to such 
changes, and of renewing the air in tire house and 
(ij)artments we inhabit, by opening the doors and 
windows every clear morning, or during the day, 
as often as convenient. Indeed, cold weatlier, 
iiowcver intense, has the effect of bracing the fi¬ 
bres of the system in general, and is attended with 


12 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


danger only when we suddenly remove to a warmer 
temperature. For this reason^ it is extremely in¬ 
judicious, and a negative compliment paid to a 
visitor to invite him to the fire-side upon his first 
entering a house: we should better consult his 
health, by conducting him to a cold room, or to 
some distance from the fire, till the temperature of 
his body be more equal to that of the apartment.” 

Willich, 

Were a room with fire in it to be perfectly 
closed, excepting the chimney, the air in it would 
soon become unw'holesome for respiration, and the 
fire would be soon extinguished, besides other in¬ 
conveniences. Hence, it appears, that those per¬ 
sons mistake, who expect to keep the air of a room 
sweet and wholesome, especially for convalescents, 
by accurately stopping all the smallest openings 
that admit fresh air. When the current of air that 
enters into a room, is on some side of it, where it 
hills immediately upon the persons who sit in the 
room, then it may be offensive, especially to de¬ 
licate constitutions. In that case, such opening 
should be closed; but, at the same time, another 
opening should be made for admitting fresh air in 
another more convenient part; for a circulation of 
air, especially in rooms where a fire is kept, is not 
only salutary and useful, but is absolutely neces- 
sary. 

It is a Vulgar error among many people to be¬ 
lieve, that fire purifies the contaminated air, by 
destj'oying the noxious particles mixed with it; 
and for this reason the}^ think, that the fire kept 
in a room where the air is tainted, purifies the 
room, by rendering the air in it again fit for res¬ 
piration. Indeed, fire kept in a room or apart¬ 
ment where-the air is tainted, as is the case with 



AIR AND CLIMATE. 


IS 


liospitals, jails, and the like, does certainly pu¬ 
rify the apartment, and the practice is very useful; 
hut this effect is only because the fire promotes the 
circulation of the air, and dries the dampness of 
rooms, furniture, &c. so that it is not the infected 
air that is purified, but is new, fresh, and whole¬ 
some air, that, by the action of the fire, has taken 
the place of the infected air: which infected air, 
being rarified b}^ the heat, has been expelled from 
the apartment. Fire and combustion, in general; 
are so far from purifying contaminated air, that 
they actually contaminate a prodigious quantity of 
it in a short time: so, that not only a common fire, 
but even a lighted candle, when kept in a well- 
closed room, wherein the external air has not a free 
access, instead of purifying, renders the air of 
that room noxious. 

It has long been known, that fresh air is more 
immediately necessary to life than food; for a man 
may live two or three days without the latter, but 
not many minutes without the former. The vivi¬ 
fying principle contained in the atmosphere, so 
essential to the support of flame, as w^ell as animal 
life, concerning w'hich authors have proposed so 
many conjectures, appears now to be nothing else 
but that pure, dephlogisticated fluid, lately disco¬ 
vered by that ingenious philosopher. Dr. Priestlev. 
The common atmosphere may well be supposed to 
be more or less healthy, in proportion as it abounds 
with this animating principle. As this exhales in 
copious streams from the green leaves of all kinds 
of vegetables, even from those of the most poi¬ 
sonous kind, may w^e not, in some measure, ac¬ 
count- wFy instances of longevity are so much 
more frequent in the country than in large cities; 
where the air, instead of partaking so largely of 


14 


AIR AND CLISIATE. 


this salutary impregnation, is daily contailiinated 
with noxious animal effluvia and phlogiston? 

With respect to climate, various observations 
conspire to prove, that those regions which lie 
within the temperate zones, are best calculated to 
promote long life. But it must be allowed, in ge¬ 
neral, that the human constitution is adapted to 
the peculiar state and temperature of each respect¬ 
ive climate; so, that no part of the habitable 
globe can be pronounced too hot or too cold for 
Its inhabitants. Yet, in order to promote a friend¬ 
ly intercourse between the most remote regions, 
tbe Author of nature has wdsely enabled the inha¬ 
bitants to endure great and surprising changes of 
.temperature with impunity. 

bleat relaxes and expands all bodies, but cold 
renders them dense and hard; the effects of which, 
on theffluman body, are well known to most peo¬ 
ple. Though the body is found to preserve a cer¬ 
tain degree of heat almost in every situation, it is 
impossible but that its surface must be affected by 
the temperature of the ambient atmosphere; and 
we have not the least reason to doubt, that every 
part of the body may thus feel the effects of that 
temperature. What a difference is there betw^een 
one who, exposed to the south wind, become§ lazy 
and languid—scarce able to drag along his limbs; 
and one who feels the force of the cold north 
wind, which renders the whole body alert, strong, 
and fit for action.” Encyclop. Britami. 

Of all the studies to which the desire of pre¬ 
serving the animal constitution can lead, that of 
the atmosphere is, perhaps, the most deserving of 
attention. The lungs are the .prime agents of all 
the functions of the body; and the welfare of the 
lungs depends greatly upon the purity of the mat- 


AIU AND CLIMATE. 

tei: they inhale. The air, then, by which we are 
surrounded, is of much importance to our health: 
but air, philosophically so called, cannot be im¬ 
pure: of the fluid that we breathe, only one fourth, 
or less, according to the most accurate computa¬ 
tion, is air; the remaining three parts, or more, 
are composed of the particles which float in that 
air: it is this compound atmosphere, therefore, 
that is of so much importance; and its healthiness 
is governed, in some instances, by natural circum¬ 
stances; but, in many more, by ourselves; or at 
least, by mankind. The free course of the atmos¬ 
pherical fluid, is of the first consequence to the ani¬ 
mals that breathe in it. On this, alone, its purity 
depends. Wherever it is confined, it becomes in¬ 
jurious. It deposits unwholesome damps, and re¬ 
tains pernicious effluvia. 

That there are particular situations in the 
natural disposition of the earth, the atmosphere 
of which is injurious to animal life, is not to be 
denied; but these deleterious atmospheres are, by 
no means, irremediable; they are not irrevocably 
attached to particular portions of the globe; but 
dependant upon causes that even man can remove, 
or introduce at will. V^arious examples, of recent 
date, might be collected to show, that the state of 
the atmosphere, even of extensive countries, is 
alterable by the labours of man; and, therefore, 
governed by adventitious circumstances. Many 
districts, originally wholesome, have been rendered 
otherwise; and we may reasonably believe, that 
the bilious fever, that great calamity of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, is produced by a state of the soil, which 
either has been occasioned by man, or might be 
improved by industry. When we hear of ende- 
mial or epidemic disorders, in countries which 


16 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


produce large quantities of tobacco or rice, these 
plants are always to be suspected as the cause; for 
they must be grown in marshes, real or artificial. 

In all places, whether naturally wholesome or 
otherwise, much depends on attention to those 
circumstances that are able to affect the atmosphere 
immediately about us. In cities, indeed, thou¬ 
sands have nothing of this sort at their choice; 
and, unfortunately, that description of persons, 
generally speaking, pay, for various reasons, too 
little regard to these matters; and thus the evil is 
increased. Let tliose, however, who have any in¬ 
fluence over the lot of their fellow creatures, re¬ 
member, that no consideration is more worthy of 
their benevolence, or of their wisdom. Let them 
believe this physical truth: ^ From the puddle of 
the beggar, sickness and death arise, to desolate 
their palaces!” KendaPs Encyclop, 

Pure air is more essential to life, even than 
food itself; for animals will subsist without nou¬ 
rishment for a considerable time; but, when de¬ 
prived of air, they perish in a few moments. 

Air is necessary to the existence of all animals; 
for it is not only constantly taken into their lungs 
by respiration, and largely mixed with the food, 
so as to make a part of the animal system; but is, 
also, constantly pressing on the surface of their 
bodies with different degrees of gravity: it, there¬ 
fore, can be no wonder that the human constitution 
should be so variously affected by it. 

The atmospheric air we breathe, till of late, 
was supposed to be a simple element: but philoso¬ 
phic investigation demonstrates, that, instead of 
pure air, this fluid, in any given quantity, consists 
of scarcely two parts of pure, dephlogisticated air, 
one, which is impure, or as it is called by the che- 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


IT 


mists, plilogisticated air, and about a fourth part 
of fixed air. Pure, or dephlogisticated air has 
nearly eight times the power of common air, ei¬ 
ther in sustaining life by respiration, or supporting- 
flame; for, without it, animals instantly die, and 
flame is extinguished in a moment. 

After common air has been taken into the 
lungs in this state, and then breathed out or ex¬ 
pired; on examination, it has been fonnd, that the 
gross, impure air remained unaltered; the pure air 
was diminished in quantity; and the fixed air in¬ 
creased. 

“ The proportion of these several kinds of air 
being dillerent in different places, according to the 
nature of soil, water, and situation, the reason 
becomes obvious why the health of the human 
body is so variously affected by them, and why 
some diseases are endemial or peculiar to certain 
places. 

By pure air, then, can only properly be meant 
that which is most free from the noxious effluvia 
of metals, and corrupted steams of vegetable or 
animal bodies; and that which is neither too hot, 
moist, or dry, may be called temperate air. 

The atmosphere, therefore, of our earth con- 
sits of pure air, phlogistic air, and aerial acid; 
and the combination of these constitutes the com¬ 
mon air we breathe; which, as already, observed, 
becomes unwholesome by frequent respiration, the 
combustion of fuel, or effluvia of putrid bodies, 
so as to be rendered highly noxious. 

Every animal is surrounded by its own atmos¬ 
phere: consequently, the cleaner such bodies are 
kept, more pure and wholesome will be that air 
taken into their lungs by respiration; a circunv 
stance of greater importance to health, than is ge- 


13 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


nerally imagined; for putrid fevers and jail dis¬ 
tempers, equal in malignity with the plague itself, 
are chiefly occasioned by nastiness, marsh vapours, 
or corrupted air. 

“ As it is universally allowed, that the air of 
certain places has a pernicious effect on human 
bodies; so, on the contrary, it cannot be doubted, 
but that which is temperate and pure, must con¬ 
tribute to the preservation or recovery of health. 
Diseases called endemial, or those peculiar to 
certain places, as agues, dropsies, &c. and, on 
the contrary, healthy situations beneficial to ani-' 
mal life, both demonstrabl}^ shew, how much 
health may be affected, for the better or worse, 
by causes always present to the body, and insensi- 
blv acting on the constitution.” Leake. 

** The colder the country, in general, the fewer 
and the less violent are the diseases. Scheffer tells 
ns, that the Laplanders know no such thing as the 
plague, or fevers of the burning kind, nor are sub¬ 
ject to half the distempers we are. They are ro¬ 
bust and strong, and live to eighty, ninety, and 
many of them to more than one hundred years 
and, at this great age, they are not feeble and de- 
crepid, as with us, but a man of ninety is able to 
work, or travel, as well as a man of sixty with us. 
They are subject, however, to some diseases more 
than other nations: thus, they have often distem¬ 
pers of the eyes, which are owing to their living, 
in smoke, or being blinded by the snow. Pleuri¬ 
sies and inflammations of the lungs are, also, very 
frequent among them; and the small-pox often 
rages with great violence. 

It has been always observed, that people of 
particular places were peculiarly subject to parti- 
ciilai* diseases, which are owing to their manner of 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


living, or to the air and effluvia of the earth and 
waters. Hoffman has made some curious observa- 
vatioris on diseases of this kind. He observes, that 
swellings of the throat have always been common 
to the inhabitants of mountainous countries; and 
the old Roman authors say, ^ Who wonders at a 
swelled throat in the Alps?' The people of Switzer¬ 
land, Carynthia, Styria, the Hartz forest, Tran¬ 
sylvania, and the inhabitants of Cronstadt, he 
observes, are all subject to this disease from the 
same cause." Halt's Encydop. 

As the preservation of health, and prevention 
of diseases, depend much upon an attention to, 
and a knowledge of their several causes, the fol¬ 
lowing extract on that subject, though not coming 
under the particular hccid of the present chapter, 
may not be wholly improper to be inserted here. 

The causes of diseases are various; often ob¬ 
scure, and sometimes totally unknown. The most 
full and perfect proximate cause is that which, 
when present, produces a disease; when taken 
away, removes it; and, when changed, also 
changes it. There are, also, remote causes, which 
physicians have been accustomed to divide into the 
predisponent and exciting ones. The former are 
those which only render the body fit for a disease, 
nr which put it into such a state that it will readily 
receive one. The exciting cause is that which im¬ 
mediately produces the disease in a body already 
disposed to receive it. 

The predisponent cause is always inherent in 
the body itself; though, perhaps, it originally 
came from without: but the exciting cause may 
either come from within, or from without. 

From the combined action of the predispo¬ 
nent and exciting causes, comes the proximate 


AIR AKD CLIMATE. 


to 

cause, which, neither of the tw o taken singly, is able 
to produce; seeing, neither every exciting cause 
will produce a disease in every person, nor will 
every one predisposed to a disease, fall into it with¬ 
out an exciting cause. A body predisposed to dis¬ 
ease, therefore, has already declined somewhat 
from a state of perfect health, although none of 
its functions are impeded, in such a mcinner that 
we can truly say, the person is diseased. \et, 
sometimes, the predisponent cause, by continuing 
long, may arrive at such an height, that it alone, 
without the addition of any exciting cause, may 
produce a real disease. Of this, we have examples 
in the debility of the simple solids, the mobility 
of the living solids, and in plethora. The exciting 
cause, also, though it should not be able imme¬ 
diately to bring on a disease; yet, if it continues 
long, will, by degrees, destroy the strongest con¬ 
stitution, and render it liable to various diseases; 
because it either produces a predisponent cause, 
or is converted into it, so that the same thing may 
sometimes be an exciting cause, sometimes a pre- 
disponent one; of W'hich, the inclemencies of the 
weather, sloth, luxury, &c. are examples. 

Diseases, however, seem undoubtedly to have 
their origin from the very constitution of the ani¬ 
mal machine; and hence, many diseases are com¬ 
mon to every body, when a proper exciting cause 
occurs, though some people are much more liable 
to certain diseases than others. Some are heredi- 
taiy; for, as healthy parents naturally produce 
healthy children, so diseased parents as naturally 
produce a diseased offspring. Some of these dis¬ 
eases appear in the earliest infancy; others occur 
equally at all ages; nor are there w^anting some 
which iui'k unsuspected, even to the latest old age^ 


AIR AND eLIMATD. 


2> 

at last breakiDg out with the utmost violence on a 
proper occasion. Some diseases are born with us, 
even though they have no proper foundation in 
our constitution, as when a foetus receives some 
hurt by an injury done to the mother; while others, 
neither born with us, nor having any foundation 
in the constitution, are sucked in with the nurse’s 
milk. Many diseases accompany the different 
stages of life; and hence, some are proper to in¬ 
fancy, youth, and old age. Some, also, are pro¬ 
per to each of the sexes; especially the weaker 
sex; proceeding, no doubt, from the general con¬ 
stitution of the body, hut particularly from the 
state of the parts subservient to generation. Hence, 
the diseases peculiar to virgins, to menstruating 
women, to women with child, to l^dng-in women, 
to nurses, ^nd to old women. The climate itself^ 
under which people live, produces some diseases; 
and every climate hath a tendency to produce a 
particular disease, either from its excess of heat 
or cold, or from the mutability of the weather. 
An immense number of diseases, also, may be 
produced by impure air, such as is loaded with 
putrid, marshy, and other noxious vapours. The 
same thing may happen, likewise, from corrupted 
aliment, whether meat or drink; though even the 
best and most nutritious aliment will hurt, if taken 
in too great quantity; not to mention poisons, 
which are endowed with such pernicious qualities, 
that even when taken in very small quantities, they 
produce the most grievous diseases, or, perhaps 
even death itself. Lastly, from innumerable ac¬ 
cidents and dangers to which mankind are exposed, 
they frequently come off* with broken limbs, wounds, 
and contusions, sometimes quite incurable; and 
these misfortunes, though proceeding from 


AI& AND CLIMATE. 


external cause at first, often terminate in internal 
diseases. 

Hitherto, we have mentioned only the dangers 
which come from without: but those are not less, 
nor fewer in number, which come from within. 
At every breath, man pours forth a deadly poison 
both to himself and others. Neither are the efflu¬ 
via of the lungs alone hurtful: there flows out 
from every pore of the body, a most subtile and 
poisonous matter; perhaps, of a putrescent nature, 
which being long accumulated, and not allowed 
to diffuse itself through the air, infects the body 
with most grievous diseases: nor does it stop hero; 
but produces a contagion which spreads devasta¬ 
tion far and wide among mankind. From too 
much, or too little exercise of our animal powers, 
also, no small danger ensues. By inactivity, ei¬ 
ther of body or mind, the vigour of both is im-^ 
paired; nor is the danger much less from too great 
employment. By moderate use, all the faculties 
of the mind, as well as ail the parts of the body, 
are improved and strengthened; and here, nature 
has appointed certain limits, so that exercise can 
neither be too much neglected, nor too much in¬ 
creased with impunity. Hence, those who use 
violent exercise, as well as those who spend their 
time in sloth and idleness, are equally liable to dis¬ 
eases; but each to diseases of a dilferent kind : 
and hence, also, the bad effects of too great, or 
too little employment of the mental powers. 

Besides the dangers arising from those actions 
of the body and mind, which are in our own 
power, there are others arising from those which 
are quite involuntary. Thus, passions of the mind, 
either when carried to too great ekeess, or when 
long continued, equally destroy the health; nay. 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


125 


ivill even sometimes bring on sudden death, Sleep^ 
also^ which is of the greatest service in restoring 
the exhausted strength of the body^ proves noxi¬ 
ous, either by its too great, or too little cjuantity. 
In the most healthy body, also, many things always 
require to be evacuated. The retention of these is 
hurtful, as well as too profuse an evacuation, or 
the excretion of those things, cither spontaneously 
or artificially, which nature directs to be retained. 
As the solid parts sometimes become flabby, soft, 
almost dissolved, and unfit for their proper offices; . 
so, the fluids are sometimes inspissated, and formed 
even into the hardest solid masses. Hence, im¬ 
peded actions of the organs, vehement pain, va¬ 
rious and grievous diseases. Lastly, some animals 
are to be reckoned among the causes of diseases: 
namely, such as support their life at the expense 
of others: and these either invade us from without, 
or take up their residence within the body, gnaw¬ 
ing the bowels while the person is yet alive, not 
only with great danger and distress to the patient, 
but sometimes even producing death itself. 

The remote causes of these diflerent states, 
w'hether predisponent or exciting, are very various. 
In the first place, idiosyncrasy itself, or the innate 
constitution of the body, contributes very much 
to produce the above-mentioned effects. Some 
have naturally a much harder and drier tempera¬ 
ment of the body than others; men, for instance, 
more than women; which can, with the utmost 
difficulty, indeed, scarce by any means whatever, 
admit of an alteration. The same thing takes 
place at the different periods of life; for, from first 
to last, the human body becomes always drier and 
more rigid. Much, also, depends on the diet 
made use of^ which always produces a correspond • 


24 


AIR AND CLIMATE. 


ing state of the solids^ in proportion to its being 
more or less watery. Neither are there wanting 
strong reasons for believing, that not only the 
habit of the body, but even the disposition of the 
mind, depends very much on the diet we make use 
of. The good or bad concoction of the aliment, 
also, the application of the nourishment prepared 
from it; and, likewise, the state of the air with 
regard to moisture or dryness, affect the tempera¬ 
ment of the body not a little: and, hence, those 
who inhabit mountains or dry countries, are very 
different from the inhabitants of low marshy 
places. Lastly, the manner of living contributes 
somewhat to this effect: exercise presses out and 
exhales the moisture of the body, if in too great 
quantity ; on the contrary, sloth and laziness pro¬ 
duce an effect directly opposite, and cause a re¬ 
dundancy of humour.’^ Enc^clop. Briiarm. 


CilAFrER 11. 


DRINK. 



A CERTAIN proportion of drink is necessary 
to the solution, and digestion of the food; but^ like 
the other nonnaturals, it may be used too freely, 
or too sparingly: the former is, however, much the 
more common case: and the best rule is, to drink 
only when thirsty, and rarely at other times, ex¬ 
cept at meals, when it is well to intermix a pro¬ 
portion of liquids with our food for its due diges¬ 
tion, assimilation, and excretion; but an excess 
in this, as in other things, instead of having the 
desired, has a contrary effect; and, by distending 
and oppressing the stomach, creates uneasiness 
during the concoction of the food. 

Drink is taken with two different intentions: one 
is, to quench thirst; which is agreeable, natural, 
and necessary; the other is, merely to stimulate 
and gratif}" the palate and stomach; which, by 
use, may become habitual; and, particularly, if 
strong liquors are frcely indulged in, highly in¬ 
jurious. 

Among the great variety of drinks used by man> 
there is none more salubrious, and better adapted 
to quench thirst, than water. But in this, as in 
many other things, we have not been content with 


2:6 


BRINK. 


Nature’s simple^ though valuable gifts; but haVe 
been seeking out others to our own prejudice. I 
do not mean^ that there are no others to be used ; 
but that there are few besides^ w^hich are so inno¬ 
cent as water. 

AVater should be pure, or as nearly so as can be 
obtained, in order to be healthful: but very few^ of 
our native well and spring w^aters are so—most of 
them containing either earthy, saline, metallic, or 
other heterogeneous particles. Indeed, many abound 
so largely with a caicarious earth, or a nitrous se¬ 
lenite, that it is not uncommon to see tea-kettles 
lined with an. earthy incrustation of considerable 
thickness, fiorn their decomposition. 

It would, doubtless, be most consistent with 
iiealth, to refrain from such impure water alto¬ 
gether; but, if that is impracticable, it may be 
rendered pm*er and more fit for use, by drawing 
off about two-thirds by distillation; by which pro¬ 
cess, sea-water may be made fresh and potable. 
Hard or impure w ater may, also, be purified by 
simple boiling for fifteen or twenty minutes; and, 
after settling, by decanting it. It may be furtlier 
improved, by passing it through a filtering stone, 
or by straining it through sand, prepared in the 
following manner: Fill the neck of a large funnel 
with sponge, over which spread a layer of coarse 
^nd, then a piece of thick flannel, after wiiich, 
another layer of sand. 

Pure and wdiolesome water may generally be 
known by being light, transparent, and insipid; 
by mingling uniformly with soap; and by boiling 
herbs and pulse tender, which hard impure w^ater 
will not do: this, however, may be rendered soft 
and miscible with soap, by the addition of potash, 
■salt of tartar, or some otlter alkaline salt. Tlie 


brink:. 


2T 

Bature of water may, also, be frequently ascer¬ 
tained by the soil and substances over which it 
flows; for, if it pass through clay, marie, lime¬ 
stone, or beds of any mineral' substances, it will 
rarely be found pure and wholesome. Some waters 
are imbued with arsenic; others with copper, or 
vitriol of iron: all whicli should be avoided as 
noxious and deleterious. It is found, that water 
flowing through leaden pipes, and stand ng irr 
wells lined with bricks, often becomes thereby 
hard, impure; and unhealthy: hence, the impro¬ 
priety of using lead for conduits, and of lining 
wells with bricks. It is, likewise, imprudent to use 
the water of wells that have been long neglected 
or disused, until they have been first well cleansed. 

Persons afflicted with the gTavel, or other disor¬ 
ders of the urinary passages, should be paiticularly 
careful not to use hard; impure water ; but, if they 
cannot get that which is naturally pure, they ought 
to depurate it in one of the ways I have mentioned, 
particularly by distillation; as distilled water has 
been found to have a solvent effect on the humaa 
calculus. The same caution is, likewise, necessary 
for such as are troubled with the scrofula,and other 
complaints of the glands. Sea-water has, how¬ 
ever, been found useful in stmmous swellings, and 
certain glandular obstructions. It is thought, that 
clear river water, and rain or snow water, collected 
at a distance from towns, preserved . clean, filtered 
as above directed, and used fresh, would be more 
wholesome for culinary purposes, than most of the 
common w^ell and spring waters. They will, also, 
by these means, become tolerably grateful. 

The importance and necessity of using pure wa¬ 
ter, are not sufficiently attended to ; for, it has^ 
been observed, that the continued use of that: 


DRINK. 


28 

wliich is not so^ has been productive of certain 
disorders; particularly, the gravel and nephritic 
complaints. And it is generally believed, that 
the bronchocele or goitre, and other glandular 
swellings of the throat, which are so common to 
the inhabitants of certain countries, are occasioned 
by the water they use. The water is generally 
hard or impure in the northwestern part of this 
state, where I have observed many people affected 
with the goitre, or swelled, or thick neck, as it is. 
there commonly called ; which is generally ascrib¬ 
ed, by the inhabitants of the country, to the water ; 
hut farther observations are, I think, wanting to 
ascertain this matter; and the subject is according¬ 
ly recommended to the attention of observing and 
ingenious physicians. 

Hard water has been found to be more antisep¬ 
tic than that which is pure ; and, therefore, may 
he better adapted for keeping at sea. It ought,^ 
however, before being used, to be softened by some 
pf the means mentioned. 

People should never use corrupted or putrid wa¬ 
ter, when it can be avoided : this, however, they 
are sometimes obliged to do in long sea-voyages: 
when it may be partly prevented, corrected, and 
improved, by mixing with it, either a little char¬ 
coal, quicklime alum, some fixed alkaline salt, or 
acids of the vitriolic or vegetable kind. Hence,, 
the utility of chai ring the inside of casks contain¬ 
ing water on ship-board. 

After water is w^ell chosen, the next thing is to 
use it properly; for, although the most simple and 
innocent in its nature of all drinks; yet, when 
used imprudently, it has, sometimes, occasioned 
premature or sudden death. Persons who are 
yery thirsty during, or after exercise, instead g.f 


DlllNK^ 


drinking large draughts of cold water, or other 
liquids, will find a safety and advantage in sip¬ 
ping hut a little at once, frequently intermixing 
a little food, or some other substance that pro¬ 
motes a discharge of spittle; which, by moisten¬ 
ing the mouth and throat, tends greatly to relieve 
the uneasy sensation arising from thirst. Bathing 
has been found effectual in allaying thirst ; and 
it may, therefore, be used at sea, when fresh wa¬ 
ter is not obtainable. Some are in the practice 
af drinking every morning, soon after rising, a 
draught of pure cold water, fresh from the foun¬ 
tain ; and others repeat it at evening before retir¬ 
ing to rest; which has been found very salutary; 
indeed, mueh more so, as well as, more innocent, 
than the daily, pernicious, and unsafe habit of 
drinking morning drams or bitters. 

Cold water should not be drunk, in large quan¬ 
tities, in hot w^eather; or, when the body is 
preternaturally w^arm : to obviate the consequences 
of w^hich, it is most prudent to drink but little 
at a time, previously grasping the vessel some¬ 
time in the hands ; or, wdien there is- a necessity 
to drink frequently, it may be safest to mix w ith 
it a portion of either wane, ardent spirits, ale or 
beer, vinegar, cider, molasses or sugar, milk, 
whey, or buttermilk : upon each of which, I shall 
offer a few remarks. It may not, however, be 
amiss to observe previously, that when a person has 
drunk too much cold water, and feels the Usual 
effects, such as pain in the stomach, distention 
or inflation of the bowels, coldness of the extre^ 
mities, 8cc. he ought to use brisk exercise, either 
on foot or horseback: take some warm cordial 
drink; and, if these are ineffectual, he should 
encourage a speedy sweat, by taking some stir»r. 


BRINK* 


QO- 

tilating medicine^^ and, by bathing bis- feet irt 
warm water, with frictions by means of the flesh¬ 
brush or flannel: to which, if the case be alarm¬ 
ing, a full dose of laudanum, or of the essence 
of peppermint, may be added. 

Mineral, or medicinal waters may, in one sense^, 
come under the general head of drink; and are 
sometimes used with a prophylactic intent; but 
they fcill not within my present plan to describe, 
nor to point out the various cases in which they 
may be used, either in preventing or curing dis¬ 
eases. 

Pure water, a simple medicine of sovereign 
efficacy, is^ that elemental fluid designed by nature 
for the nourishment of all bodies, whether animal 
or vegetable. It softens the food in the stomach 
attemperates corrupted bile; dissolves the sharp 
salts and rancid oils;, and washes them out of the 
body by the secretion of urine. How superior is. 
this inestimable liquor, gushing from the pure bo¬ 
som of a rock, as from the cellar of Nature, to 
all the artificial compounds which luxury, or hu¬ 
man invention can devise! 

The feverish and sickly stomach often thirsts 
after a draught of the crystal spring, as the greatest 
cordial, while it nauseates.the richest wines; and, 
indeed, wine,,, beer, and all other made liquors, 
are only water sophisticated with different propor¬ 
tions of oil, salts, and sulphur, so altered by fer¬ 
mentation, as to set their spirit at liberty, which 
then taken into the body, produces a narcotic ef¬ 
fect on the nerves, and occasions intoxication. 

I am far from supposing that those liquor.s can 
never be beneficial; and would only infer, that 
they are prejudicial by abuse; that they only be- 
(^me necessary hom cnstQm;. that they ought to 


• BRINK. 


31 


be used with great moderation,, and rather as cor¬ 
dials than common drinks.. 

Water-drinkers, and those who chiefly live on 
vegetables, are observed to be more healthy and long- 
lived, than others. In such, the faculties of the body 
and mind are more strong; their teeth more white; 
their breath is more sweet; and their sight more 
perfect, than in those who use fermented liquors, 
and much animal food. They ai*e less subject to 
gout, and gravel, colic, scurvy, or apoplexy, and 
acute diseases in general.” Leake. 

Section 1 . Wine. 

Wine is to most people an agreeable, and a cor¬ 
dial drink; and, hence, much used; and, when 
occasionally, or in small quantity, mixed with 
water, may be very innocent; but when drunk fre¬ 
quently aud copiously, it generally, sooner or later, 
injures the constitution, or renders it subject to in¬ 
flammatory diseases. It is a powerful stimulant, 
the long continued use of which, rarely fails to- 
induce debility. Hence, great wine-drinkers, some¬ 
what advanced in life, are generally low-spirited,, 
and often afflicted with a long tram of hypochon- 
drical symptoms and incurable diseases, particu¬ 
larly, the gout, which is a strange complication of 
stimulating and debilitating pow ers : in short, wine 
is more properly a medicine, than an article of 
common drink; and, as such, may be applied with 
salutary effects in various cases. Those who in¬ 
dulge in wine and strong liquors, are, also, often 
afflicted with that painful and excruciating disorder, 
the gravel, w^hich rarely yields to the power of 
any medicine hitherto discovered. 

Although I condemn the frequent and habitual 


DRJNK'. 


- 3 ^ 

use of wine_, by no means, tbink it wholly un¬ 
necessary for persons of certain constitutions oc¬ 
casionally; and especially at meal times, when it 
sometimes has a good effect in promoting and as=- 
sisting digestion. 

There is a great variety of wines; some of 
which are better for certain medicinal purposes 
than others; but wdiich it is not my province, at 
present, to point out: the choice must, therefore, 
be left, in great measure, to tlie physician, and 
every person’s own observation and experience; 
Some wines are doubtless adulterated with ingredi¬ 
ents highly injurious to health; w^hich is an addi¬ 
tional inducement to use them as little as is reall}'’ 
necessary. 

Various pleasant and wholesome wines may be 
made in this country from the juices of cherries, 
currants, raspberries, blackberries, and strawber¬ 
ries, little inferior to some af the imported wines; 
and, unquestionably, more innocent. 

Cider may be made into a liquor, which, with 
sufficient age, becomes a tolerable wine, not un¬ 
like Rhenisb or Malaga; and which may be used 
as a substitute for them. 

The more water wine contains, it is the more 
suitable a beverage at table ; and, when weak, it 
-is, in some degree, calculated to quench thirst. 
Strong wines, on the contrary, excite thirst; as 
they are drying and affect the organs of secretions. 
It is only a stimulant, and not a permanently 
strengthening cordial; for, most wine-drinkers, 
who indulge in excess, die of relaxation and de-- 
bilitv. 

The copious use of wine, though not to the 
degree of inebriation, is yet exceedingly debilitat¬ 
ing to the stomach; as it checks digestion, and. 


1>RINK. 


33 


excites diarrhoea, if white wine, and obstructions, 
if port-wine be the favourite liquor: it makes the 
fibres dry and rigid, and the cheeks, and the 
whole surface of the body, turn sallow—a S3^mp“ 
tom of bad digestion; the powers of the body and 
mind are enfeebled, and dropsy or gout, and, some¬ 
times, sudden death, are the consequences. Ple¬ 
thoric 3^oung men, and such as have weak stomachs 
and lungs, should not accustom themselves to the 
use of wine. To give it to infants or youth, is a 
practice highly pernicious, except in very small 
quantities indeed. In short, wine should be used 
as a medicine only, if intended to produce salutary 
effects. To the phlegmatic, to the aged, and to 
those who are disposed to flatulency, and after fat 
meat, it is highly beneficial, if used with prudence 
and moderation. 

As wine encourages perspiration, it dries the 
body, makes it lean, and may, therefore, be of 
service to cold and phlegmatic constitutions. It 
stimulates the bile, and excites the appetite to a 
repetition of excess, so that persons once habitu¬ 
ated to drinking, can but gradually relinquish this 
seductive practice. To drink wine copiously every 
day, is as improper and pernicious as to take medi¬ 
cines by way of diet: nothing is so much calculated 
to occasion habitual indigestion.” WillicJi^ 

Section 2. Ardent or Distilled Spirits, 

I have mentioned ardent spirits as one means of 
preventing the sudden bad effects of drinking too 
much cold water; and a little mixed with it, may 
be innocently and usefully emplo^^ed for that pur¬ 
pose : but I do not mean to recommend them as a 
frequent, habitutib necessary part of drink; for. 


^4 


lyRTKir. 


I think, that their frequent and excessive use 
not only unnecessary, but highly injurious; and has 
destroyed thousands; perhaps, more than either 
pestilence, famine, or the sword. 1 need not, 
therefore, take much pains to show their evil con¬ 
sequences, either in a medical, political, moral, 
or religious point of view; but will just add, that 
the formidable, and, generally, mortal diseases of 
gout, dropsy, epilepsy, palsy, apoplexy and phren- 
gy, are among their numerous offspring. 

It is entirely consistent with reason, as well ag 
experience, that they should be attended with these, 
effects; for all distilled spirits are uniformly of a 
stimulating and heating nature; and, as I observed 
in the preceding section, a long continued, and 
frequently repeated application of stimulant pow¬ 
ers, is sure to be followed by a. contrary state, 
(\ebility. Hence, 'drinkers of spirits are not only 
subject to the same train of symptoms and diseases 
as wine-drinkers; but, generally, attended with 
greater, and more sudden mortality: in short, peo¬ 
ple who are under the operation of ardent spirits, 
or other heating liquors, are doubly subject to dis¬ 
eases; for, while they are under the first, or sti¬ 
mulant effect, they are liable to inflammatory dis¬ 
orders; and, when that state is succeeded by the 
opposite, or debility, they are then prone to all 
the group of nervous complaints, and particularly 
to the dropsy, which is well known to be owing, 
in great measure, to an enervated or weakened 
state of the body: indeed, so much so, that drunk¬ 
ards are, of all others, the most afflicted wdth this- 
disease. And it deserves to be mentioned, that 
most of the disorders brought on by intemperate 
drinking, prove incurable by medicine. 

3ojne people drink ardent spirits to warm them 


DKIjifK, 



in cold, and to cool them in hot weather. They 
have, it is true, both of these ehects: the first 
operation is stimulant, increasing the action of the 
heart and arteries, and, therefore, always neces¬ 
sarily heating: the second is a sense of flaccidity and 
coldness, which is rather morbid than salutary; 
especially when frequently repeated or long con¬ 
tinued: hence, drunkards are, of all others, the 
most susceptible of cold, and pinched with it; 
even to that degree that they are frequently found 
frozen to death. 

I expect it will be sufficiently understood, that 
I do not mean to recommend the use of rum, or 
other spirituous liquors, in hot weather, or during 
laborious exercise; for, I think, they have occasi¬ 
oned more mischief and disorders than ever they 
prevented: in short, they are not so properly an 
article of frequent and common drink, as a medi¬ 
cine; and, therefore, they ought to be used as 
such occasionally, and rarely at other times. The 
idea, that spirits assist digestion, appears to be 
groundless and erroneous, except in certain con¬ 
stitutions and complaints; but their frequent and 
repeated use, certainly impairs that important 
function in the animal economy. 

Their use in harvest, and in other seasons of la¬ 
borious exercise, may, in great measure, or en¬ 
tirely, be superseded by other cheaper and more 
innocent substitutes; which, for that reason, I 
shall be more particular in mentioning. From 
their inflaming nature, and heating effects, they 
have not improperly been called, by some writers, 
by the apposite and emphatic name of Liquid fire. 

The shameful effects of drunkenness are so fla¬ 
grant and destructive, both to lieaith and morals. 


36 


J>RINK. 


that no one ought to hesitate to prevent^ rathei* 
than wait to cure the evil. 

If drunk in hot weather,, or after violent 
perspiration, they check this function, by con¬ 
tracting the vessels of the skin, and closing the 
pores. On account of this contracting power, 
they are sometimes of service to a person whose 
stomach is overloaded with beer or water, to as¬ 
sist their passage through the proper emunctories. 
After violent exercise and heat, a dram of spirits 
is more proper than cold water or beer, though 
a cup of tea or other diluent drink is preferable. 
After fat or strong food, spirits are exceedingly 
improper: for, instead of promoting the solution 
and digestion of the food in the stomach, they 
rather tend to retard it. We may be convinced 
of this, by attending to the effects they produce 
on inanimate substances: for these are preserved 
from dissolution and putrefaction more etfectually ^ 
in spirits, than in any other liquid. Thus, we 
may learn, that spirits will impede digestion ; 
and render strong food, taken into the stomach, 
still more indigestible. Many persons are ac¬ 
customed to take a dram as a remedy against 
flatulency : if the stomach be clean and unde¬ 
praved, they certainly Vv ill be relieved by it; 
but, on the contrary case, their expectations will 
be disappointed. 

Ardent spirits are rendered still more con¬ 
tracting and prejudicial to the stomach, when 
combined with acids, as in punch; and, for the 
same reason, the habit of taking drams after fruit, , 
or any acid vegetable, is absurd. 

To persons of relaxed fibres, distilled liquors 
may, under certain limitations, be useful; as they 
increase the elasticity and compactness of the ves- 


tnriNK. 




Sels. Bat^ to those whose fibres are already rigid_, 
sphits are ab\5iously pernicious, and have a ten^ 
deucy to bring on a premature old age. They stop 
the growth ot‘, and are otherwise very improper 
for young persons. 

Tliat spiritous liquors incrassate and coagulate 
the fluids, we may easily discover in those who are 
addicted to the use of them: they have a thick 
blood, are troubled with constant obstructions of 
the intestines, and their unavoidable consequences ; 
■such as, a gradual depravation of the nervous sys¬ 
tem, loss of memory, debility of mind, hypochon¬ 
driasis, jaundice, dropsy; and, at length, con¬ 
sumption of the lungs. The throat and stomach 
of habitual tipplers are rendered callous; and, at 
length, almost closed; the glands are indurated, 
and, consequently, digestion is, in the highest 
degree, impaired.” WiUich, 

But, ef all the evils which exert their baneful 
influence over the stomach, none is so pernicious 
in its consequences as the immoderate use of spi¬ 
rituous liquors. Like liquid fire, they will harden 
and contract its fibres, and, as it were, cauterize 
and crisp up its tender, nervous lining; at once 
destroying both feeling and appetite, and render¬ 
ing it a mere borachio, or leather bottle. 

For this reason, those addicted to the pernici¬ 
ous habit of dram-drinking, are always complain¬ 
ing of a cold stomach, which, in fact, is rendered 
such by tlie very means they preposterously use to 
prevent it, and constantly repeat, to the slow, but 
sure destruction of their constitution. 

Besides these bad effects of spirituous liquors, 
they harden animal food, and render it indigesti¬ 
ble. From the same heating power, they contract 
fhe glands^ coagulate their juices, and rob th.6 


BHINK, 


.iiS 

stomach of its natural moisture^ which^ like the 
saliva^ is essentially necessary to promote diges¬ 
tion. 

By such pieans^ the faculties of the body and 
mind are injured^ and at last destroyed: for those 
who indulge in this pernicious gratification, soon 
lose their appetite, ii«d are constantly troubled 
with sickness at stomach and sinking of spirits. 
Loss of hiemory, confusion of ideas, and nervous 
tremor, are all its sad and certain consequences. 
In hot climates, spirituous liquors produce frenzy; 
and in cold ones, stupidity and abolition of the 
senses. 

In those who have died from the abuse of 
spirituous liquors ; the liver, spleen, and abdomi¬ 
nal viscera, in general, were found preternaturally 
hardened, and rendered as it were coriaceous, 
like leather. Excessive dram-drinkers are pre¬ 
maturely cut off by consumptions, dropsy, asthma, 
or apoplexy.” ' Leake, 

Let us .next attend to the chronic effects of 
j rdent spirits upon the body and mind. In the 
body, they dispose to eveiy form of acute dis¬ 
ease : they, moreover, excite fevers in persons 
predisposed to them, from other causes. This 
has been remarked in all the yellow fevers which 
have visited the cities of the United States. Hard 
drinkers seldom escape, and rarely recover from 
them. 

The following diseases are the usual conse¬ 
quences of the habitual use of ardent spirits, 
viz. 1. A decay of appetite, sickness at stomach, 
and a puking of bile, or a discharge of a frothy 
and viscid phlegm by hawking, in the morning. 
<2. Obstructions of the liver. 3. Jaundice, and 
dropsy of the belly and limbs; and^ finally, of every 


DRINK. 


sd 


cavity in the body. 4. Hoarseness, and a husky 
cough, which often terminate in consumption, and, 
sometimes, in acute and thtal diseases of the lungs. 
5. Diabetes; that is, a frequent and weakening dis¬ 
charge of pale, or sweetish urine. 6. Redness and 
eruptions on different parts of the body. They ge¬ 
nerally begin on the nose, and, after gradually 
extending all over the face, sometimes descend 
to the limbs in the form of iepros}^.. They have 
been called ^ Rum-buds>’ when they appear in 
the face. In persons who have occasionally sur¬ 
vived these effects of ardent spirits on the skin, 
the face> after a while, becomes bloated, audits 
redness is succeeded by a death-like paleness. 
Thus, the same fire which produces a red colour 
in iron, when urged to a more intense degree, 
produces what has been called a white heat. 
7. A fetid breath, composed of every thing that 
is offensive in putrid animal matter. 8. Frequent 
and disgusting belchings. Q. Epilepsy. 10. Gout 
in all its various forms of swelled limbs, colic, 
palsy, and apoplexy. Lastly, 11. Madness. 

Most of the diseases which have been enu¬ 
merated, are of a mortal nature. They are more 
certainly induced, and terminate more speedily in 
death, when spirits are taken in such quantities, 
and at such times, as to produce frequent intoxi¬ 
cation; but it may serve to remove an error, with 
which some intemperate people console themselves, 
to remark, that ardent spirits often bring on fatal 
diseases without producing drunkenness. I have 
known many persons destroyed by them, who were 
never completely intoxicated during the whole 
* course of their lives. The solitary instances of 
longevity, Avhich are now and then met with in 
hard drinkers, no more disprove the deadly effecff- 


pH I Nit. 


' AO 

of ardent spirits, than the solitary instances-of re¬ 
coveries from apparent death by drowning prove> 
that there is no danger to life from a human body 
lying an hour or two under water. 

Not less destructive are the effects of ardent 
spirits upon the human mind. They impair the me¬ 
mory; debilitate the understanding; and pervert the 
^moral faculties. They produce not onl}’; falsehood,, 
but fraud, theft, uncleanliness, and murder. Like 
the demoniac mentioned in the New Testamejjt,.. 
their name is ^ Legion;’ for they convey into the 
^soul a host of vices and crimes. 

I shall now take notice of the occasions an<L 
circumstances which are supposed to- render the 
pse of ardent spirits necessary, and endeavour tOr 
shew, that the arguments in favour of their use ift- 
such cases^ are founded in error; and that,, in. 
each of them, ardent spirits, instead of affording, 
strength to the body, increase the evils they are 
intended to relieve. 

‘^1. They are said to be neeessaiy in very cold 
weather. This far from being tme; for the tem- 
poraiy warmth tliey produce, is always- succeeded, 
by a greater disposition in the body to be affected 
by cold. Warm dresses, a plentiful meal just be¬ 
fore exposure to the cold, and eating occasionally 
a little gingerbread, or any other cordial food, is 
a much more durable method of preserving the 
heat of the body in cold weather. 

2. They are said to be irecessary in very warm 
weather. Experience proves that they increase, 
instead of lessening the effects of heat upon, the 
body, and thereby dispose to diseases of all kinds. 
Even in the warm climate of the West Indies, 
Dr. Bell asserts this to be true. ^ Rum,’ says this 
author, whether used habitually, moderately, or 
hi excessive quantities, in the West Indies, always 


DR I NIC. 


41 

diminishes the strength of the body, and renders' 
men more susceptible of disease, and unfit for any 
service in which vigour or activity is required.’ As 
well might we throw oil into a house, the roof of 
which was on fire, in order to prevent the flames 
from extending to its inside, as pour ardent spirits* 
into the stomach, to lessen the effects of a hot sun 
upon the skin. 

3. Nor do ardent spirits lessen the effects of 
hard labour upon the body. Look at the liorse, 
with every muscle of his body swelled from morn¬ 
ing till night in the plough, or a team: does he 
make signs for a draught of toddy, or a glass of 
spirits, to enable him to cleave the ground, or to 
elimb a hill.^ No. He requires nothing but cool 
water, and substantial food. There is no nourish¬ 
ment in ardent spirits. The strength they produce 
in labour, is of a transient nature, and is always 
followed by a sense of weakness and fatigue. 

But, are there no conditions of the human 
body in which ardent spirits maybe givenI an¬ 
swer, there are. 1st. When the body has been sud¬ 
denly exhausted of its strength, and a disposition to 
faintness has been induced. Here,' a few spoon¬ 
fuls, or a wine-glassfull of spirits, with, or wdth^ 
out water, may be administered with safety and 
advantage. In this case, we comply strictly witk 
the advice of Solomon, who restricts the use of 
strong drink only, to him who is ready to perish. 
2dly. When the body has been exposed for a long, 
time to wet weather, more especially, if it be com¬ 
bined with cold. Here, a moderate quantity of 
spirits is not only s^Cj but highly proper to obvi¬ 
ate debility, and to prevent a fever., They .will 
more certainly have those salutary. effectSjtA if the? 
feet are at the same time bathed with them, /ox 


BRINE. 


^2' 

laalf pint of them poured into the shoes or bootgv 
These, I believe, are the ottlj two cases in wlneh. 
distilled spirits are useful or necessary to persons in 
health. 

Let.it no-t be said, ardent spirits have become 
necessary from habit in harvest, and in other sea¬ 
sons of uncommon and arduous labour. The ha¬ 
bit is a bad one, and may be easily broken. 

Valetudinarians, especially those who are af¬ 
flicted with diseases of the stomach and bowels, are 
very apt to seek relief from ardent spirits. Let 
such people be cautious how they make use of this 
dangerous remedy. I have known many men and 
women of excellent characters and principles, who 
have been betrayed by occasional doses of gin and 
brandy, into a love of those liquors ; and have 
afterwards fallen sacrifices to their fatd effects. 
The different preparations of opium are much 
more safe and efficacious than distilled cordials of 
any kind, in flatulent or spasmodic affections of 
the stomach and bowels. So great is the danger of 
contracting a love for distilled liquors by accus¬ 
toming the stomach to their stimulus, that, as few 
medicines, possible, should be given in spirituous 
vehicles, in chronic diseases. 

Some people, from living in countries subject 
to intermitting fevers, endeavour to fortify them¬ 
selves against them, by taking two or three wine- 
gl asses of bitters, made with spirits, every day. There 
is great danger of contracting habits of intern per^ 
once from this practice.. Besides, this mode of pre¬ 
venting in termittents, is far from being a certain one, 
A much better secunty against them, is a teaspoon- 
fui of the Jesuits bark, taken every morning during 
a sickly season. If this safe and excellent medi¬ 
cine cannot be had, a gill, or half a pint of a strong 
Watery infusion of centaury, camomile, w'oritt- 


DRINK. 


wood, or rue, mixed with a little of the calamus- 
of our meadows, may be taken every morning 
with nearly the same advantage as the Jesuits bark. 
Those persons who hve in a sickly country, and 
cannot procure any of the preventives of autum¬ 
nal fevers, which have been mentioned, should 
avoid the morning and evening air; should kindle 
fires in their bouses on damp days, and in cool 
evenings, throughout the whole summer; and put 
on winter clothes about the first week in Septem¬ 
ber, The last part of these directions applies only 
to the inhabitants of the middle States. 

“ Men who follow professions which require 
constant exercise of the faculties of their minds, 
are very apt to seek relief, by the use of ardent 
spirits, from the fatigue which succeeds great men¬ 
tal exertions. To such persons, it may be a dis¬ 
covery to know, that tea is a much better remedy 
for that purpose. By its grateful and gentle stimu¬ 
lus, it removes fatigue, restores the excitement of 
the mind, and invigorates the whole system. I am 
no advocate for the excessive use of tea. When 
taken too strong, it is hurtful, especially to the fe¬ 
male constitution; but, w^hen taken of a moderate 
degree of strength, and in moderate quantities, 
with sugar and cream, or milk, 1 believe it is, in 
general, innoxious, and, at all times, to be pre¬ 
ferred to ardent spirits, as a cordial for studious 
men. 

Women have sometimes been led to seek re¬ 
lief from what is called breeding sickness, by the 
use of ardent spirits. A little gingerbread, or bis¬ 
cuit, taken occasionally, so as to prevent the sto¬ 
mach being empty, is a much better remedy foi 
lhat disease. 

Smoking arid chewing tobacco^ by rendering 


44 


DRIxXK. 


water and simple liquors insipid to tlie taste, dis-^ 
pose very much to the stronger stimulus of ardent 
spirits. The practice of smoking segars has, in 
every part of our country, been more followed by 
a general use of brandy and water, as a common 
drink, more especially by that class of citizens who 
have not been in the habit of drinking wine, or 
malt-liquorsi The less, therefore, tobacco is used 
in the above ways, the better. 

No man ever became suddenly a drunkard. 
It is by gradually accustoming the taste and sto¬ 
mach to ardent spirits, in the forms of grog and 
toddy, that men have been led to love them in 
their more destractive mixtures, and in their simple 
state. Under the impression of this truth, were 
it possible for me to speak, with a voice so loud as 
to be heard from the river St. Croix, to the remot¬ 
est shores of the Missisippi, wUich bound the ter¬ 
ritory of the United States, I w^ould say, Friends 
and fellow citizens, avoid the habitual use of those 
tw^o seducing liquors, wUether they be made with 
brandy, rum, gin, Jamaica spirits, whisky, or 
what is called cherry-bounce.’ 

It has been said, that the disuse of spirits 
should be gradual: but my observations authorize 
me to say, that persons who have been addicted to 
them, should abstain from them suddenly, and en¬ 
tirely. ^ Taste not, handle not, touch not,’ should 
be inscribed upon every vessel that contains spirits 
in the house of a man, who wishes to be cured of 
habits of intemperance. To obviate, for a while; 
the debility whiclr arises from the sudden abstrac¬ 
tion of thestimulusof spirits, laudanum, or bitters in- 
hised in water, shbuld be takenand, perhaps, a lar¬ 
ger quantity of beer or wine, than is consistent with 
me strict nules of temperate living, -By the teai-t 


DRINK. 


4a 

porary use of these substitutes; for spirits^ 1 have 
never known the transition to sober habits, to be 
attended with any bad effects, but often with per¬ 
manent health of body, and peace of mind. 

But it may be said, if we reject spirits from 
beiiig a part of our drinks> what liquors shall we 
substitute in their room? I answer, ia the first 
place, 

1. Simple water. I have known many in¬ 
stances of persons who have followed the most la^- 
borious employments for many years, in the open 
air, and in warm and cold weather, who never 
drank any thing but water, and enjoyed uninter¬ 
rupted good health. Dr. Moseley, who resided 
many years in the West Indies, confirms this re¬ 
mark. ^ I aver,’ says the Doctor, * from my own 
knowledge and custom, as well as the custom and 
observations of many other people, that those who 
drink nothing but water, or make it their principal 
drink, are but little affected by the climate, and 
can undergo the greatest fatigue without inconve¬ 
nience, and are never subject to troublesome or 
dangerous diseases.’ 

Persons who are unable to relish this simple 
beverage of nature, may drink some one, or of 
all the following liquors in preference to ardent 
spirits. 

^‘ 2. Cider. This excellent liquor contains a 
small quantity of spirit, but so diluted, and blunt¬ 
ed by being combined with a large quantity of sac¬ 
charine matter and water, as to be perfectly whole-t 
some. It sometimes disagrees \yith persons subject, 
to the rheumatism; but it may be made inoffensive 
to such people, by extinguishing a red-hot iron in 
k>. or by mixing it with water. 

3. Malt liquors. They contain a. good deal 


46- 


DTI INK.' 


of nourishment: hence, we find, that many or 
the poor people in Great-Britain endure hard la¬ 
bour v\ ith no other food than a quart or three pints 
of beer, with a few pounds of bread in a day. As- 
it will be difficult to prevent small beer from be¬ 
coming sour in warm weather, an excellent substi¬ 
tute may be made for it by mixing bottled porter, 
ale, or strong beer, with an equal quantity of wa¬ 
ter; or a pleasant beer may be made by adding to 
a bottle of porter, ten quarts of water, and a 
pound of brown sugar> or a pint of molasses. 
After they have been well mixed, pour the liquor 
into bottles, and place them, loosely corked, in a 
cool cellar. In two or three days, it will be fit for 
use. A spoonful of ginger added to the mixture;, 
renders it more lively and agreeable to the taste;- 
4. Wines. These fermented liquors are com-- 
posed of the same ingredients as cider, and are 
both cordial and nourishing. The peasants of 
France, who drink them in large quantities, are 
a sober and healthy body of people. Unlike ar¬ 
dent spirits, which render the temper irritable, 
wines generally inspire cheerfulness and good hu¬ 
mour. It is to be lamented, that the grape has not 
as yet been sufficiently cultivated in our country, 
to afford wine for our citizens; but many excellent 
substitutes may be made for it, from the native 
fruits of all the States. If two barrels of cider 
fresh from the press, are boiled into one, and af- 
terw'ards fermented, and kept for two or three years 
in a dry cellar, it affords a liquor, which, accord¬ 
ing to the quality of the apple from which the ci¬ 
der is made, has the taste of Malaga, or Rhenish 
wine. It affords, when mixed with water, a most 
agreeable drink in summer. I have taken the 
liberty of calling it pomona wine. There is an- 


DRINK. 


47 


other method of making a pleasant wine from tire 
apple, by adding twenty-four gallons of new cider^ 
to three gallons of syrup, made from the express¬ 
ed juice of sweet apples. When thoroughly fer¬ 
mented, and kept for a few years, it becomes fit 
for use. The black-beijy of our fields, and the 
rasp-berry, and currant of our gardens, afford, 
likewise, an agreeable and wholseome wine, when 
pressed, and mixed with certain proportions of 
sugar and W'ater, and a little spirit to counteract 
their disposition to an excessive fermentation. 

Molasses and w^ater; also, vinegar and wa¬ 
ter, sw^eetened wdth sugar or molasses, form an 
agreeable drink in warm weather. It is pleasant 
and cooling, and tends to keep up those gentle uni¬ 
form sweats, on which health and life often de¬ 
pend. To such persons as object to the taste of 
vinegar, sour milk, or butter-milk, or sweet milk, 
diluted with water, may be given in its stead. I 
have known the labour of the longest and hottest 
days in summer, supported by means of these plea¬ 
sant and wholesome drinks, with great firmness, 
and ended with scarcely a complaint of fatigue. 

6. The sugar maple affords a thin juice, which 

has long been used by the farmers in Connecticut, 
as a cool and refreshing drink in the time of har¬ 
vest. • ' *■ 

7. Coffee possesses agreeable and exhilirating 

.qualities;, and might be used with great advan¬ 
tage to obviate the painful effects of heat, cold, 
and fatigue upon the body.’' - Ruah. 

Section 3. Ale or Beer, 

Ale or beer is a compound liquor, prepared in 
different w ays; and therefore, of different kinds j 


48 


DiaNK. 


as porter^ spruce^beer. See.; all of wiiicli> 
if well prepared a«d fermented, are healthful 
drink, either alone, or mixed with water; though 
porter and other strong hop beers, are a bitter, 
whicli, if used freely and constantly, may, like 
otlier bitters, have a sedative or debilitating effect 
on the stainach and organs of digestion. It is, 
therefore, proper and necessary for persons who 
use such beers constantly, to mix them with 'ivater, 
or change them frequently for it, or some -other 
kind of drink. Next to water, small beer is the 
most simple and innocent drink. A simple beer, 
agreeable and salubrious for most peojile, in hot 
weather, may be made with sweetened water, and 
either malt, hops, or bran, with a little anise seed, 
ginger, or aispice; which may be further improv¬ 
ed, by the addition of the boughs, or essence of 
spruce. The maple juice or molasses, by con¬ 
taining a large portion of acid, readily excites fer¬ 
mentation, and is, therefore, particularly well 
suited for this purpose. 

In country places, an agreeable and a whole¬ 
some beer is frequently brewed with part of the 
above ingredients, with the addition of several bit¬ 
ter herbs, or opening roots, winch add to its salu¬ 
brity in purifying the blood and animal fluids 

A little gentian root, or orange peel, or both, 
impart an agreeable bitterness to beer, and may be 
occasionally added; and are thought to preserve 
it from souring. 

It is said, that the quassia bitter has also been 
lately used with the same intention, and to supply 
the place of hoj^s. When it turns sour, or be¬ 
comes vapid, which are sometimes occasioned by 
thunder, as well as by heal and age, the taste may 
be revived-and corrected .by the addition of a little 


DRINK. 


40 


Slew beer in a fermenting state; or, of either a lit¬ 
tle potash, quick-lime, chalk, burnt oy&ter-shells> 
or egg-shells. 

Beer is more necessary, and peculiarly adapted 
for the inhabitants of cities and places, where the 
water is not good; and for persons with whom this 
disagrees. I'he different kinds of malt liquors, 
and beer, are far more nourishing, innocent, and 
liealthy, than the use of ardent or distilled spirits. 

SECTibN 4. Vinegar. 

Vinegar fs mostly made of wine and cider: the 
latter kind is that almost universally used in this 
-country. It is, also, frequentiy made, in the new 
settlements, of the juice of the sugar maple> 
which kind, although, perhaps, not so strong as 
the others, I have not understood to be less whole¬ 
some. A little vinegar added to cold water, obvi¬ 
ates its sudden bad effects, when drunk in large 
quantities; and, if sweetened, it makes a very palat¬ 
able drink; which is rendered more agreeable and 
salubrious, by the addition of either a little green bur- 
net, borage, parsley, or sorrel, macerated in it. Vi¬ 
negar is not enough used in diet, especially in hot 
seasons and climates; nor are its virtues sufficiently 
known in inflammatory and putrid diseases. Its 
hot steams are an excellent means to sweeten and 
correct stagnant, morbid, or contagious air in the 
rooms of the sick, and make an agreeable and ex¬ 
hilarating cordial to the patient and attendants. 
Indeed, instances are not wanting of persons be- 
dng seemingly preserved from pestilential and ma¬ 
lignant disorders by its liberal use. It deserves, 
however, to be mentioned, that it should, in cora- 
^Hon with other acids, be used sparingly, or alto-: 


60 


BlllNK. 


gether avoided^ by persons subject to colic^ and 
other flatulent or spasmodic complaints of the 
'stomach and bowels. 

Section 5. Cider, 

Cider is the common drink of most families in 
this country^ and is generally healthful. It is very 
suitable for table-drink^ especially with animal 
food; but there is, unquestionabl}", a great deal 
more drunk than is really necessary or useful be¬ 
tween meals: at which times^ I would recommend 
it mixed with water^ to prevent the morbid effects 
of the latter, and to allay thirst. 

I think 1 have frequently observed great cider- 
drinkers, somewhat advanced in life, to have a 
certain tenseness and rigidity of their muscular 
fibres, which render them peculiarly liable to in¬ 
flammatory disorders, especially the rheumatism: 
which is not unexpected, when we recollect, that 
boiled or strong cider contains a large proportion 
of inflammable spirit, perhaps, little less than 
some kinds of wine or distilled spirits. Why then 
should it be thought surprising, that they are af¬ 
fected with the same diseases, as wine or rum- 
drinkers ? 

A draught of stale, well-fermented cider is 
judged healthy, by many, in the morning fasting; 
when it has been found useful in preventing or 
curing the sick head-ach. Indeed, I pronounce 
it far more innocent, wholesome, and safe, than 
the custom of drinking rum, brandy, or other ar¬ 
dent spirits, in the morning. Much cider, as well 
as vinegar, is, however, improper for those who 
are affected with sour stomachs, and for such as 
much on a milk diet; for the acid turns the 


DRINK. 


5^1 

milk to a harcl coagiilum or curd, which is very 
difficult of digestion; sometimes occasioning co¬ 
lics, or obstinate constipations and pains in the 
bow^els. 

Neither cider nor vinegar should be kept in leaden 
X’essels, nor in others glazed with that metal, which 
becomes corroded by the acid; and has produced 
colics, and other disorders of the bowels. 

Perry is a liquor prepared in like manner from 
pears; and is equally agreeable and wholesome. 
Both may be improved in taste and salubrity, by 
having their pomaceous matter separated from 
them; which may be done in the manner I have 
already recommended for purifying impure w^ater^ 
by straining through strata or layers of sand. 

Section 6. Molasses or Sugar. 

Water sweetened with molasses or sugar, makes 
a safe, healthful, and, to many peopje, an agree¬ 
able drink in hot weather: which may be rendered 
more so, by the addition of a little vinegar or ci¬ 
der; and, perhaps, by some of the vegetables 
mentioned in Section 4. 

This is the chief, and almost only drink, used 
by many farmers during their laborious work in 
harvest and hay time. 

Section 7. Milk. 

I know of no drink more innocent, and better 
adapted to quench thirst, than milk and water. 
Milk eaten at mid-day, prevents thirst in the af¬ 
ternoon in hot weather, and during hard labour: 
but, of the use of milk as food, 1 shall have OC’- 
casion to speak more hereafter under that head. 




la 

Section 8. Whe^. 

Whey^ though not much used as drink, is, per^ 
liaps, little inferior to any for salubrity* It is 
peculiarly wholesome for hard labourers in hot 
weather, when it can generally be procured in 
great plenty. It becomes agreeable to most peo¬ 
ple by use; and it may constitute a considerable 
part of diet. It is said to have been much used by 
;the ancients; and I would recommend its liberal 
use to the moderns. 

Section 9. Buttermilk, 

Butter-milk, and bonny-clabber, or sour milk> 
are, to some, agreeable drink, and no less health¬ 
ful. They may be sweetened for those who do not 
like them in their sour state. 

Before dismissing the subject of drink, I must 
observe, that I think, a great deal more is often 
used than is essentially necessary; and, that much 
of our thirst, or inclination for drink, is owing to 
indulgence and habit: for, if people w ere tempe¬ 
rate in eating, and used a sulhcient quantity of 
drink with their food, they would rarely want any 
between meals; and the less then the better; as 
much drink immediately after eating, rather re¬ 
tards, than promotes digestion. 

It is true, that in hot weather, and during hard 
labour, when the perspiration is great, much drink 
is required, and even indispensably necessary; but 
every person’s own experience teaches him, that 
large draughts are not so effectual to quench thirst, 
as frequent and smaller ones: audit is peculiarly 
under those circumstances that the bad -^^conse- 
quences of drinking much cold water occur: where- 




6$ 


fore, I have been more particular in pointing out 
several additions or substitutes tor that simple, and 
generally innocent, though sometimes, by impru¬ 
dence, fatal beverage. 

We ought to drink only when we are thirsty, 
and to desist when thirst is quenched: but this is 
seldom the case because many of our liquors sti¬ 
mulate the palate. Pure water, therefore, is an 
inestimable beverage, as it will not induce us to 
drink more than is necessary. Thirst, however> 
is as good, if not a better guide, than hunger; 
and he who is accustomed to drink water only, 
will not easily transgress the measure, if he drink 
as often as nature calls upon him. But, if w^e 
must drink in the intervals of eating, it would be 
most conducive to digestion to drink water onl}^, 
and in small quantities; as pure water is more pro¬ 
per during the time of eating, because it agrees 
with all dishes without exception. Yet, a glass or 
two of wine, during dinner, particularly for the 
aged and debilitated, is- proper and conducive to 
digestion. 

Indeed, we ought to begin to drink only after 
our appetite for food is satisfied, and then it should 
be done gradually during digestion. This funo 
tion may be disturbed by large draughts of liquor, 
which occasion fermentation and flatulency.’^ 

Willich, 

‘‘ The lesser quantity of fermented liquors w^e 
accustom ourselves to, the better. 

To abstain from spirits of every kind, hownver 
diluted, as much as may be. 

Where mild, w^ell-brewed beer agrees, to keep 
to rt, as beverage. 

Where water does not disagree, to value the 

P2 


54 


DBINK. 


privilege^ and continue it. In respect to wine^ 
custom, for the most part, will decide. 

. The less the excess in quantity, the more con¬ 
sistent with health, and long life. And, people, 
especially in the fore part of life, cannot be too 
solicitous to shun the first temptations to the love 
of spirituous liquors.” FothergilL 

I'he drinks, in different countries, are different. 
Those used among us, are water, jnalt-liquors, 
wine, cider, brandy, tea, &c. The first drinks of 
mankind were certainly water and milk; but luxury 
soon iqtroduced the art of preparing intoxicating 
and inebriating drinks, out of vegetables. The 
vine gave the first of these liquors; after this, 
wheat, barley, millet, oats, rice, apples, pears, 
and pomegranates; and, after these, the juices 
drained from the pine, sycamore, and maple, were 
brought to this use: in latter times, roots, berries, 
and the pith of the sugar-cane, have been employed 
for the same purposes. But, before the use of the 
Other things here mentioned, the vinous liquor 
made of honey and water, was in the very highest 
estimation. The bees were natural purveyors, 
and their stores were one of the first delicacies, 
probably, of the human race. The people who 
Jiave studied the human frame to most purpose, all 
agree, that among the strong drinks, spirits and 
wine are the most pernicious; and that good water, 
milk, beer, and cider, are greatly preferable to 
them; none of them bringing on the variety of 
disorders, to which, immoderate drinkers of wine 
and spirits are subject; such as decay of sight, 
trembling of the limbs, &c. Water, Dr. Cheyne 
observes, is the only simple fluid fitted for diluting, 
moistening, and cooling—the only ends of drink 
appointed by nature; and happy had it been for 


DPvINK. 


the race of mankind, had other mixed and artifi¬ 
cial liquors never been invented. 

Water alone is sufficient and effectual for all 
the purposes of human wants in drink. Strong 
liquors were never designed for common use. They 
were formerly kept here in England, as other me¬ 
dicines are, in apothecaries’ shops, and prescribed 
by physicians^ as they do diascoidium and Venice 
treacle, to refresh the weary, strengthen the weak, 
and raise the low-spirited. The effect of the ordi¬ 
nary use of wine and spirituous liquors, as natural 
causes will always produce their effects, is, to in¬ 
flame the blood into gout, stone, and rheun^atism,, 
fevers, pleurisies, &c.; to dry up the juices, and 
scorch and shrivel the solids. Those whose appe¬ 
tite and digestion are good and entire, never want 
strong liquors to suppi}^ them with spirits: such 
spirits are too volatile and fugitive, for any solid 
or useful purposes of life. Two ounces of flesh 
meat, well digested, beget a greater stock of more 
durable and useful spirits, than ten times as much 
strong liquors. 

All strong liquors are as hard to digest, and 
require as much labour of the coneoctive powers, 
as strong food itself. Water is the only universal 
dissolvent, or menstruum, and the most certain 
diluter of all bodies proper for food. There are 
a great many spirituous liquors which not only 
will notdissolve, but which will harden, and make 
more indigestible certain parts, especially the salt^ 
of bodies, wherein their active qualities, that is,, 
those which can do most harm to humatr consti¬ 
tutions, consist. And we have known persons of 
tender constitutions, who could neither eat, nor 
digest upon drinking wine, who, by drinking at 
meals cpmmon water, warmed, have recovered 


56. 


DRINK. 


tlieir appetites and digestion; and have tliriven^^ 
and grown plump. It is true, strong liquors, by 
their heat and stimulation on the organs of con¬ 
coction, by increasing the velocity of the motion- 
of the fluids, and thereby quickening the other 
animal functions, will cany off the load that lies 
upon the stomach, with more present cheerfulness. 
But then, beside the future damages of such a 
quantity of wine to the stomach, and the fluids, by 
its heat, and inflammation, the food is hurried 
into the habit unconcocted, and la^^s a foundation 
for a fever, a fit of the colic, or some chronical 
disease. Essay on Health, &;c. 

With respect to fermented liquors, which are 
commonly used, it may be observed, that those 
which are too strong hurt digestion, and are so far 
from strengthening the body, that they w'eaken 
and relax it.. They keep up a constant fever, which' 
exhausts>the spirits, heats and inflames the blood, 
disposes to numberless diseases, and occasions a 
premature old age. But fermented liquors may 
be too weak, as well as too strong: these must ei- 
ther be drunk new, before the fermentation is over, 
and in this case will generate air in the bowels, 
and occasion flatulencies; or,, they soon become 
stale, sour the stomach, and injure digestion. On 
this account, all malt-liquors, ciders, &c. should 
be sufficiently strong to keep till they are ripe, and 
then they should be used; and neither sooner nor 
later. Liquors that are adulterated with a mix¬ 
ture of ingredients' of the opiate kind, which are 
poisonous in their quality, by those who make 
them for sale, hurt the nerves, relax and weaken 
the stomach, and spoil its digestive powers^ 

Fermented liquors are more or less poignant 
to the tasfe, and better calculated to quench thirsfc 




Their aceseency sometimes promotes the disease 
of acescency, by increasing that of vegetables^ 
acting as a ferment, and so producing flatulency, 
purging, cholera, &c.: so that, with vegetable ali¬ 
ment, as little drink is necessary, the most inno¬ 
cent is pure water; and it is only with animal food 
that fermented liquors are necessary. In warmer 
climates, fermentatae would seem necessary to ob¬ 
viate alkalescency and heat. But it should be con¬ 
sidered, that though fermented liquors contain an 
acid, yet they also contain alcohol; which, though 
it adds stimulus to the stomach, yet is extremely 
hurtful in the warmer climates, and wherever alka¬ 
lescency prevails in the system. Nature, in these 
climates, has given men an appetite for water im¬ 
pregnated with acid fruits, e. g. sherbet; but the 
use of this needs caution, as in these countries, 
they are apt to shun animal food, using too much 
of the vegetable, and often thus causing danger¬ 
ous refrigerations, choleras, diarrhoeas, &c.” 

Hall’s Encifchp. 


CHAPTER III. 
FOOD. 



f OOD is, undoubtedly, a matter of no little im¬ 
portance in preserving health; and, upon a due 
attention to it, the prevention of diseases, in great 
measure, depends. Indeed, it has been question¬ 
ed, whether more people have not suffered by im¬ 
moderate and imprudent eating, than by excessive 
drinking.'* Without taking upon me to decide, I 
eannot help expressing my fears of the truth of 
the former part of the question: but, be this as it 
may, the subject is of too great moment to escape 
our strict attention and observation, especially in 
early life; for, then, habits are often established,, 
which become very difficult to break through in 
more advanced age. 

Food, as well as drink, was doubtless given us 
by the great Creator to use, but not to abuse; 
therefore, for our nourishment and support: but, 
how sorrowfully is the use of the former, as well 
as of the latter, perverted! The end of eating is 
to nourish and sustain our bodies, more than to 
gratify our appetites: therefore, as health is one 
€>f the greatest, blessings in this life, let us study to 


FOOD. 50 

answer the former^ rather than merely to fulfil the 
latter. 

Every person's experience teaches him ; or, with 
attention, may teacii him, that his health and ease, 
in great measure, depend on a due quantity and 
quality of his drink and food: of the former, I 
have already spoken ; and it is the latter I am now 
to consider. 

It is an axiom of no little importance, which I 
wish to be strongly impressed on the minds of all, 

* That every person’s health depends much on the 
quantity and quality of his diet.’ Now, it may 
be asked, what arc this quantity and quality r 1 
answer^ every person’s own experience must, in 
great measure^ determine; only with this injunc¬ 
tion, always to stop at, or rather before, the first 
sensation of satiety or gratification: which is 
necessary, both in drink and food; but, in gene¬ 
ral, more essentially so in the latter, than in the 
former. 

It is most conducive to health, to eat not 
only sparingly, but at eaiijq regular, and set 
times; and to avoid repasts or piece-meals, as 
much as possible: by observing which rules, a 
person is sure to enjoy a clear head, an easy sto¬ 
mach, and a good digestion, and rarely to want 
an appetite when in health. But, owdng to 
a neglect of these, we not unfrequently see peo¬ 
ple complaining of head-ach, pain or uneasiness 
in the stomach, eructations, and other symptoms 
of indigestion ; and applying for medical assist¬ 
ance; when the physician, with the whole materia 
medica, is not able to efiect a cure. The reason 
is, medicine is not so much wanting, as attention 
to diet; particularly, in choosing a suitable kind, 
. and in being carefol not to exceed in quantity^ 


60 


POOD. 


joined with proper exercise. Gormandizers, no 
doubt, suffer more by their excesses, than the ab-‘ 
stemious and temperate do, by their cravings of 
appetite. 

In cold climates and seasons, the appetite for 
solid food is. generally keener than in hot. For that 
reason, in the former, persons of good stomachs 
and feeble constitutions ought to be more particu¬ 
larly careful not to exceed in quantity; but, the 
digestion being, in general, stronger and better 
performed, prevents, in some measure, the uneasy 
and oppressive effects, that would otherwise be felt 
from eating full meals. 

The usual symptoms and effects of a full meal, 
or excessive eating, are, dulness, laziness, yawn¬ 
ing, sleepiness, a sense of load or oppression at 
the stomach, a quickness of the pulse, and slight 
fever; which last is, the almost certain conse¬ 
quence of eating at all times; and occurs during 
the passage and change of the chyle into the blood. 
Hence, immoderate eaters may be said, almost 
always, to have a fever: in short, they are sub¬ 
ject to much the same kinds of complicated anel 
incurable disorders, as excessive drinkers. 

When a person has eaten to excess, he ought 
not to lie down immediately, but move gently 
about, and use some of the means recommended 
for drinking too much cold water; and, he should 
take a draught of cold water acidulated with elixir 
of vitriol, or juice of lemons. 

This explains, why there is a greater number of 
diseases, and those more incurable, in cities than 
in countries; and, why invalids are longer in re¬ 
covering in the former, than in the latter. 

It may be said, that convalescents, or persons 
who have been long sick, and, are reduced low^ 


I'Oob, 


6i 

and who have a good appetite, require much food: 
it is true; but let such be reminded, that their crav¬ 
ings are frequentl}^ false, owing to an acid or mor¬ 
bid state of the juices in the stomach, wdiich 
prompts them to eat more than nature, or their 
constitutions require; that it is safer to take a little 
light food frequently, than much at a time ; that, 
even in health, overeating corrupts the juices, and 
injures the constitution more than it nourishes the 
body; and, that a keen appetite, w'ithout a strong 
digestion, is often worse than none. Persons 
much fatigued, and after long fasting, ought par¬ 
ticularly to avoid full meals, and all kinds of hard, 
fat, and indigestible food. 

One thing, common with luxurious eaters, how¬ 
ever, deserves approbation; that is, the long time 
used in eating. If people generally took much 
more time and pains in chewing their food, it would 
contribute greatly to a speedy easy digestion; and, 
eonsequentTy, to a healthful constitution. The 
oppressive and injurious effects of immoderate eat¬ 
ing, especially of highly seasoned food, and f>oig- 
naut sauces, as w'ell as of excessive drinking, are 
particularly felt on the mind, as well as on the body. 
Hence, persons addicted to the former intempe¬ 
rance, as well as the latter, rarely possess that 
liveliness of spirits, quickness of apprehension, 
activity of thought, and acuteness of judgment, 
which the temperate and abstemious generally 
enjoy. 

What I have hitherto said, relates chiefly to 
quantity. It may now be expected, that I should 
give my opinion on the quality and different kinds 
of food. To enter minutely into every article of 
nourishment, would require a volume, which 
Would be beyond my present bounds: wherefore. 


FOOD. 


#2 

I shall confine myself mostly to that of this coun¬ 
try; and particularly in exhibiting a contrast or 
comparative view between the influence of the 
food of city and country. 

From history we learn, that different nations 
subsist on a great variety of food, and very diverse 
from each other: for instance, some principally 
on fish; some on rice and other vegetables; some 
on roots and the barks of trees; some on the bones 
of animals; some much on animal or vegetable 
oils; and others on food, partly animal and partly 
vegetable; which last includes the general diet of 
this country: and nearly the same variety may be 
found in drinks; and yet all, in the general, per¬ 
haps health}", or not subject to disorders, that may 
be imputed to the nature of their diet: which 
shows, that the human constitution and organs of 
digestion possess a remarkable power of accommo¬ 
dating themselves, by degrees, to every kind of 
food; hence, few diseases are occasioned by the 
kind or quality, but many by the quantity of ali¬ 
ment. Indeed, it is doubted by some, whether 
more people have not been destroyed by excess of 
diet, than ever have been by famine. And there 
is no cause to disbelieve the adage; That tempe- 
mnee is the best physic.” 

Moderation and temperance have, from their 
importance, been not impjroperly called, The 
golden means of preserving health.” 

A proper attention to diet, as well as to pure air, 
is no less important and necessary in the cure, than 
in the prevention of diseases, and in the preserva¬ 
tion of health in general. Hence, many disor¬ 
ders prove incurable by medicine, without a well 
yegulated diet and regimen: to which, those of a 


POOi). 



cliroilic nature often yields more than to the whole 
materia medica. 

From the variety of aliments used, I scarcely 
know" whereto begin: but, as all are comprised in 
three meals, I shall consider them in that order, 
namely, breakfast, dinner, and supper. 

Previous, how'ever, to entering on the particu¬ 
lar articles of each meal, I shall adduce some ap¬ 
posite extracts on diet in general. 

Nothing is of so much consequence to inva¬ 
lids, and to the more delicate of both sexes, as atten¬ 
tion to quantity. There are many people who seem 
to be possessed of such powders of digestion, as to he 
under no restraints on that account, and W"ho ne¬ 
ver feel themselves incommoded, either with quan¬ 
tity, or the most heterogeneous qualities of their 
food. They rise from the most plentiful, mixed^ 
and rich repasts, w"ithout any kind of apparent 
uneasiness. But this is not the case w"ith the gene¬ 
rality: they are affected wdth uneasiness, some in 
one way, some in another, by the unnatural load. 
And how" often do w^e hear such complaining of 
the ill effects of this or that particular kind of diet, 
wdien, perhaps, their sufferings arise from the quan¬ 
tity of all, rather than the disagreement of any. 

It demands attention to observe that just me¬ 
dium, and no less resolution to keep to it, wdiich 
the stomach invariably points out in respect to 
quantity. The how much must be determined by 
every individual; and those who are happy enough 
to abstain at the first sensation of satiety, have 
made great progress in the art of maintaining such 
a command of appetite, as, under most chronic 
indispositions, is one of the greatest aids of reco¬ 
very; and, in health, is one of the surest preser¬ 
vatives against them. 


6^ 


FOOF. 


It is a doctrine,, however trite and familiar^ 
which.cannot be too strongly inculcated; as a neg¬ 
lect of this attention to the quantity of food pro¬ 
portioned to the necessity of each individuah is^ 
sooner or later, followed with the most serious con¬ 
sequences. To the strong and robust, inflamma¬ 
tory diseases happen, and all such as proceed from 
plenitude and acrimony combined, as the gout, 
and many other chronic indispositions. To the 
more tender and delicate, it is the parent of a nu¬ 
merous progeny of distempers, affecting both body 
and mind. There is scarcely a malady that can 
be named, which either does not originate from 
this neglect of diet, or is not increased by it, till 
the disease at length bids defiance, even to tempe<r 
fance itself, and all prescription. 

What renders this attention to invalids of thia 
order, still the more necessary, is, that they are 
often subject to a false appetite; to a craving that 
does not arise from the demands of health, but, 
from the morbid piquancy of the juices in the 
stomach, which prompts them to eat more, and. 
more frequently than nature requires. Whence, 
it happens, that such people are often disposed to 
take in much more than can be digested; to de¬ 
vour their food, rather than to eat it; by which 
means, their sufferings are increased; the disease 
gains ground; defeats every purpose of the phy¬ 
sician ; and leads them into some permanent and 
incurable malady. 

And should the patients have admitted an opi«- 
iiion, (and such an opinion occurs but too often) 
that their recovery will be aided by taking in a 
greater share of food, their misfortune is complete. 
These are not ideal traits in the history of the sick; 
they ate kt^own to be but too true by every phy- 


FOOI>. 


sician of observation: and they cannot be men¬ 
tioned too often, or with too much fervency, for 
the sake of those who are liable to become the 
victims of appetite or inattention. 

Early habits of self-command are of the ut¬ 
most benefit to all; and even those who do not feel 
any immediate distress from the utmost repletion 
at present, would find it their interest to be mode¬ 
rate and discreet. 

The effects of improper conduct, in respect 
to those things which now constitute our breakfasts, 
are of little consequence, compared with those 
which arise from the well-covered table at noon. 
The indulgences supply but very few materials for 
destruction. The repeated excesses at dinner are 
serious affairs. It has been thought, that more 
people suffered by hard drinking, than immode¬ 
rate eating. My observation leads me to take the' 
Opposite side. At present, indeed, the former 
practice is generally banished to the vulgar; but 
wdiilst it prevailed to the utmost, it seems to me, 
that more were injured by excess of diet, than of 
drinking. 

The Author of nature has so formed us, and 
constructed the organs of digestion, that w’e can 
gradually accommodate ourselves to every species 
of aliment; live on rice, on vegetables, on animal 
food solely, or mixed with vegetables, without 
suffering injury. No kind of food hurts us; we- 
are capable of being accustomed to every thing; 
but this is not the case in regard to quantity. Na¬ 
ture, by degrees, may be accustomed to subdue 
and change into nutriment almost every part of tbe^ 
creation that is produced; but, to quantity she 
yields: if there is not sufficient, decay ensues; if 
loo much is used, fatal oppression. 

G 2 


m 


FOOI>. 


Though I think the quantity of food is a mat¬ 
ter principally to be regarded^ yet the quality is 
not a matter of indilference. 

As, on the due performance of digestion^ de^ 
pends much of our health, ease, and prospect of 
longevity; so, we ought most studiously to avoid 
every thing that has a probable chance of inter¬ 
rupting it.” FothergilL 

^Mn the consumption of food, we are liable to 
commit errors, both as to its quantity and quality./ 
The error in the quantity, however, is generally 
the most detrimental. • A small portion of food 
can be better digested, and more easily changed, 
into chyle, or that alimentary duid from which 
the blood derives its origin, than a large portion,, 
which injures the coats of the stomach, and pre¬ 
vents them from exerting their force. Hence, 
every satiety, or superfluity, is noxious. 

It is in infancy and early age, that the foun^ 
dation is laid for the many diseases arising from 
indigestion, which are now found in almost every 
family. If children are fed immoderately, and 
beyond the real wants o.f nature, the first passages^, 
become too much distended, and their stomach, 
by degrees, acquires an unnatural craving for food, 
which must be satisfied, whatever be the conse¬ 
quence. These excessive supplies not only are 
unnecessary, but produce die most serious and 
fatal disorders. 

It would be a fruitless and impracticable at¬ 
tempt, to lay down fixed rules, by which the 
respective salubrity, or perniciousness of every 
species of aliment might be determined, in its ap¬ 
plication to the individual. It has been before 
observed, that such rules do not exist in nature;; 
stnd that the relative state and condition of the 


FOOD. 


67 


person^ time^ and circumstances, must serve as 
our guide. Hence, it may be considered as a 
general rule, that all incongruous mixtures and 
compositions; for instance, milk and vinegar, or 
other acids, or milk and spirits, are hurtful, by 
generating an acid and acrid whey in the stomachy 
and, at the same time, producing an indigestible, 
coagulated mass. 

‘‘A much greater number of diseases originate,, 
upon the whole, from irregularities in eating, 
than in drinking; and, in the latter respect, we 
commit more frequent errors with regard to quan¬ 
tity than quality: otherwise, the heterogeneous 
mixture of provisions, with which we load our 
stomachs, would disagree with all. 

The general rule, then, is, to eat as much as 
is necessary to supply the waste suffered by the 
body: if we exceed this measure, we produce too 
much blood; acircumstance as detrimental, though 
not so dangerous to life, as that of having too 
little. If we were never to trespass the due limits 
of temperance, our natural appetite would be able 
accurately to determine how much food we may 
consume without diminishing our vivacity. But, 
from the usual physical education of children, this, 
can scarcely be expected in adults. We ought_, 
therefore, to pay strict attention to the state of, 
those intestines which serve to prepare the alimen¬ 
tary fluid; and, when theseare in a relaxed or dis¬ 
eased state, we should instantly begin to be more 
moderate in eating. 

If, after dinner, we feel ourselves as cheerful 
as before it, we may be assured, that we have 
taken a dietetical meal: for, if the proper measure 
be exceeded, torpor and relaxation will be the 
necessary consequence: our faculty of digestion. 


68 


FOODv 


will be impaired^ and a variety of complaints gi*a- 
dually induced. 

The stomach being too much distended by 
frequent exertions, will not rest satisfied with the 
former quantity of food: its avidity will increase 
v/ith indulgence in excess; and temperance alone 
can reduce it to its natural state, and restore its 
elasticit 3 \ Fulness of blood, and corpulency, are 
the disagreeable effects of gluttony, which pro¬ 
gressively relaxes the stomach, and punishes the 
offender with head-ach, fever, pain in the bowels, 
diarrhoea, and other disorders. 

The more suddenly this expansion takes place, 
the more forcibly and dangerously it affects the 
stomach ; and its fibres being too much extended, 
are the more sensible of the subsequent relaxation. 
Slow eating, therefore, preserves the fibres in a 
due state of elasticity. Hence, to eat slowly, is 
the first.maxim in dietetics: the stomach suffering, 
in this case, a very gradual distention, as the food 
has sufficient time to be duly prepared by masti¬ 
cation. He who observes this simple rule, will 
feel himself satisfied only after he has received a 
due ])roportion of aliment. But he who swallows 
his food too quickly, and before it is perfectly 
chewed, will imagine he has eaten enough, when 
the umnasticated provisions occasion a sense of 
pressure on the sides of the stomach. The teeth 
are designed by nature to grind our food, and to 
mix it with our saliva, produced by innumerable 
glands, and destined to promote its solution. 

The most simple dishes are the most nourish¬ 
ing. The multiplied combination of substances, 
though they may please the palate, are not condu¬ 
cive to health. All subtances which contain much 
jelly, whether animal or vegetable, are noui'ishing; 


roo0. 


m 

for this alone affords nutriment; and the hard> 
watery, and saline particles of food cannot be as¬ 
similated or converted into chyle. Nourishing 
substances would, indeed, be more conformable 
to nature; but, as our appetite generally incites us 
to eat more than is necessary, we should acquire 
too much alimentary matter, and become too full 
of blood, if we were to choose only such articles 
of food as contain a great quantity of jelly.” 

Willick. 

Next to air, food is the most necessary thing 
for the preservation of our bodies: and, as on the 
choice thereof, our health greatl}^ depends, it is of 
great importance to understand, in general, what 
is the properest for our nourishment; and, in par¬ 
ticular deviations from health, what is best adapted 
to restore us. Our blood and juices naturally in¬ 
cline to become putrid and acrimonious: fresh 
chyle, duly received, prevents this destructive ten¬ 
dency, and preserves in them that mild state which 
alone consists with health. An animal diet affords 
the most of this bland nutritious mucilage: watery 
fluids dilute the too gross parts, and carry off what 
is become unfit for use. It is only the small por¬ 
tion of jelly which is separated from the farinace-r 
ous parts of vegetables, that, after being much 
elaborated, is converted into the animal nature; 
yet, the use of vegetables prevents both reple¬ 
tion, and a too great tendency to a putrescent 
acrimony of the blood. In hot climates, as well 
as against the constitutional heat of particular 
persons, vegetables are demanded in the largest 
portion: animal substances afford the highest re¬ 
lish while our appetite continues; but will sate the 
appetite before the stomach is duly filled. Veget¬ 
ables may be eaten after either flesii or fish: few 


70 


FOOD. 


herbs or fruits satiate so much as that the stomacFf- 
may not be filled with them^ when it is already 
satisfied with flesh or fish; whence^ it may be ob¬ 
served, that no diet which is very nourishing, can 
be eat to fulness, because its nutritious parts are 
oily and satiating. 

‘‘ Health depends almost wholly on a proper 
erasis of the blood; and to preserve this, a mix¬ 
ture of vegetables, in some degree, is always re¬ 
quired; for, a loathing is soon the consequence of 
animal food alone: hot acrid habits, too, receive 
from milk and vegetables the needful for correct¬ 
ing their excesses; but, in cold, pituitous, and 
nervous habits, vrho want most nourishment from 
least digestion, and from the smallest quantity of 
food, animal diet is to be used more freely. 

Thus much being offered-as general principles, 
with respect to the matter and quality of our ali¬ 
ment, the valetudinarian may easily regulate his 
diet with some advantage to himself, by an atten¬ 
tion to the few ensuing particulars. In winter, eat 
freely, but drink sparingly: roast meat is to be 
preferred, and what is drunk, should be stronger 
than at other seasons. In summer, let thirst de¬ 
termine the quantity to be drunk: cold stomachs 
never require much : boiled meats and vegetables, if 
not otherwise contraindicated, may now be more free¬ 
ly used. Lax habits require the w inter’s diet to be 
continued all the year; and rigid ones should be 
confined to that of summer. Fat; people should 
fast at times, but the lean should never do so. 
Those who are troubled with eructations occasion¬ 
ed by their food, should drink but little, and use 
some unaccustomed exercise. The thirsty should 
drink freely, but cat sparingly. In general, let 
moderation be observed; and, though no dinner 


FOOD. 


71 


hath been had^ a light supper is^ at all timcs^ to 
be preferred. After very high seasoned meats^ a 
glass of water acidulated with the acid elixir of vit- 
rioh or_, in very weak sloinachs_, the sweet elixir of 
vitrioh is far more assistant to the work of diges¬ 
tion, than the common method of taking brandy. 

. Thus, when the body is too full, nature causes 
evacuations through some of the outlets: and, for 
this reason it is, that diseases from inanition are 
generally more dangerous than from repletion; 
because, we can more expeditiously diminisfi, than 
increase the juices of the body. Upon the same 
account, also, though temperance be beneficial to 
all men, the ancient physicians advised persons in 
good health, and their own masters, to indulge a 
little now and then, by eating and drinking more 
plentifully than usual. But, of the two, intem¬ 
perance in drinking is safer than in eating: and, 
if a person has committed excess in the latter, 
cold water drunk upon a full stomach will help 
digestion; to which it will be of service to add 
lemon juice, or elixir of vitriol. If he has eaten 
high seasoned things, rich sauces, See. then let 
him sit up for some little time, and afterwards 
sleep. But, if a man happen to be obliged to fast, 
he ought to avoid all laborious work. From satiety, 
it is not proper to pass directly to sharp hunger, 
nor from hunger to satiety: neither will it be safe 
to indulge absolute rest, immediately after exces- 
sive labour, nor suddenly to fall to hard work after 
long idleness. In a word, therefore, all changes, in 
the way of living, should be made by degrees. 

The softer and milder kinds of aliment are 
proper for children ; and, for youth, the stronger. 
Old people ought to lessen the quantity of their 
food, and increase that of their drink: but yet 


FOOT). 


some allowance is to be made for custom, Gspeci* 
ally in the colder climates like ours; for, as in 
these, the appetite is keener, so is the digestion 
better performed. 

Though foods and drink of the most simple 
kinds, are allowed to be the best calculated for.sup¬ 
porting the body in health, yet, it can hardly be 
doubted, but variety may be safely indulged occa¬ 
sionally, provided men vrould restrain their appe¬ 
tites within the bounds of temperance; for, boun¬ 
tiful nature cannot be supposed to have poured 
forth such a rich profusion of provisions, merely 
to tantalize the human species, without attributing 
to her the part of a cruel stepdame, instead of that 
of the kind and indulgent parent. Besides, we 
find, that by the wonderful powers of the digestive 
organs, a variety of animal and vegetable substan¬ 
ces, of very discordant principles, are happily as¬ 
similated into one bland, homogeneous chyle; 
therefore, it seems natural to distrust those cynical 
writers, who would rigidly confine mankind to one 
simple dish, and their drink to the mere water of 
the brook. Nature, it is true, has pointed out fhat 
mild insipid fluid as the universal diluent, and 
therefore most admirably adapted for our daily be¬ 
verage. But experience has equally proved, that 
vinous and spirituous liquors, on certain occasions, 
are no less salutary and beneficial, whether it be 
to support strength against sickness or bodily fa¬ 
tigue, or to exhilarate the mind, under the pres¬ 
sure of heavy misfortunes. But, alas! what na¬ 
ture meant for innocent and useful cordials, to be 
used only occasionally, and according to the direc¬ 
tion of reason, custom and caprice have, by de¬ 
grees, rendered habitual to the human frame, and 
liable to tlie most enormous and destructive abuses. 


I?OOD. 


Hence it may be justly doubted^ wlietber glut¬ 
tony and intemperance have not depopulated the 
world more^ than even the s\vord_, pestilence, and 
famine. True, therefore, is the old maxim, ^ Mo 
dus utendi ex veneno facit medicamentum, ex me- 
dicamento venenum.”*' Encijctop, Britann, 

It is, indeed, true, that the generality of 
mankind do not perceive the diiferences of diet 
very nicely ; because, man is of a nature suited to 
a great variety of functions, and, therefore, to a 
great variety of states and circumstances; and, 
among the rest, to a great variety of aliments. 

To this, the human economy is particularly 
well suited; and the common saying of ^ Sanis 
omnia sana,’ to a certain extent, is well founded ; 
but this does not supersede all attention to the 
choice of aliments. Men are still of different 
constitutions, with respect to their powers of di¬ 
gestion ; nor less different, with respect to the irrit¬ 
ability of their system; and are, consec]uently, 
variously affected by the same aliments; and this 
so much as to have produced the vulgar observation,^ 
that, ^ One man’s meat is another man’s poison.’ 
This, indeed, does not apply in many cases, and 
only very remarkably in the cases of the idiosyn¬ 
crasies, which occur in many particular persons. 

With respect to the most part of mankind, 
the different effects of aliment are not very remark¬ 
able; and though some excesses may take place, 
they are often transitory and unheeded; but it 
would be of consequence for men to know, that 
repetition may, in time, render these effects con¬ 
siderable and dangerous. It would be well, there¬ 
fore, that mankind were aware of the tendency 

■* The mode of use makes a medicine of a poisjn, and a poison 
cf a medicine. 

TI 


74 


I'OOD. 


which every hind of diet has to produce effects 
either immediately, or after repetition, unfavoura¬ 
ble to health. It would, however, be difficult to 
give to the bulk of mankind the necessary instruc¬ 
tion on this subject, and it would hardly be neces¬ 
sary to render it very universal, as'it is not in many 
cases, and only in paiticular persons, that diseases 
arise from errors in diet; but it is absolutely neces¬ 
sary that physicians, who have the whole'of man¬ 
kind as objects of their attention, should study 
this matter: without which, they cannot either 
perceive the causes of diseases, or direct the means 
of obviating tliem. In this business, however, I 
have often found physicians very deficient, from 
their great ignorance of the nature of aliments, 
and of the principles which should lead to the 
proper and necessary distinction of them.” 

Cullen^ 

Section 1 . Breakfast, 

The food generally eaten at this meal, consists 
mostly of bread and butter, and either milk, tea, 
coffee, or chocolate. 

Among the great variety of aliments used in 
diet, none is more general, necessary, and useful 
than bread. Even nations which have no farina¬ 
ceous substances, make something in imitation^, or 
as a substitute for it. 

The most common bread, eaten in this country, 
is made either of wheat, rye-, indian corn, or buck¬ 
wheat; or of a mixture of some of these; all of 
whiich, when properly prepared, are nutritious and 
wholesome. 

Wheaten bread is agreeable to most people, and 
generally sits easy on the stomach ; but its con¬ 
stant use is thought to induce costiveness in some : 


FOO D”. 


•^Vbich effect may be prevented by leaving a part 
of the brail with the llour^ or by mixing it with 
rye; which last is not so palatable to all, being ra¬ 
ther more apt to sour on the stomach, and to ex¬ 
cite heartburn in certain constitutions; but it is 
more of a laxative nature; and, therefore, better 
suited for costive habits, either alone, or mixed 
with wheat: which mixture constitutes what is; 
in some parts of England, called meslin; a kind 
of bread said to be the best of all others for keep¬ 
ing the body soluble. 

Bread made wholly of rye, on account of its 
disposition to acescency, fermentation, and flatu¬ 
lency, may not be so well adapted for persons of 
choleric temperaments, and those afflicted with 
dyspeptic, hypochondriac, and hysteric symptoms. 
But, for the same reason, it may be the best bread 
to prevent or cure the scurvy. There is a diseased 
state of this kind of grain, called spurred or 
horned rye, (by the French, ergot), which has 
proved deleterious or morbid, in some cases; but I 
never saw, nor heard of its effects being observed 
in this country. 

That made of maize, or indian corn, appears 
to agree well with most people wdio like it. It is 
mostly used in the eastern States, and in other 
countries where there does not much wheat grow. 
It is- well knowm^ that the meal of this kind of 
grain does not ferment and raise, even witii yeast 
or leaven, like the flour of w'heat and rye, into a 
light spungy bread; but it may be mixed with 
either or both of them, when it makes them palat¬ 
able, and keeps them moist a considerable time. 

Buckwheat has lately come into very general 
use, in the winter season, both in city and coun¬ 
try ; but, being somewhat liable to an acescent 


FOOD, 


fermentation in the stomach, it does not agree well 
with all constitutions. It is rarely used in a cold 
^tate, like other bread; but, when properly made, 
and baked into cakes on a griddle, it is excellent 
eating, whilst warm. 

The grain should, however, previously to being 
ground, be freed from the dust and grit on it. 
•ft is supposed, that its use occasions itching and 
cutaneous eruptions; w'hich supposition is, 1 think, 
not wholly without foundation. It is not so gene- 
a’ally eaten in warm, as in cold weather; nor is it 
thought so wholesome for constant use,^ especially 
in the former season,, as other bread. 

Some think that buckwheat is improved by add¬ 
ing to it a portion of fine indian meal; of which 
last alone a batter is sometimes made, and baked 
in like manner. 

The principal reason of the unwholesomeness of 
bread, is its being sour, or not sufficiently fer¬ 
mented, or baked. 

It is conducive to health, to intermix a larger 
proportion of bread with our food, particularly 
with flesh. 

Hot bread is not so healthy as cold, being more 
Indigestible; and very apt to clog and oppress 
many people’s stomachs: indeed, there have been 
instances of persons being, thrown into violent 
colics; and of some who have been thought to have 
lost their lives, by eating hot bread, rolls, or short¬ 
cakes, with a large portion of stale or rancid but¬ 
ter. 

Stale bread is, also, thought to be more whole¬ 
some than that which is newly baked. AW kinds 
of bread, rolls, and cakes, containing much short¬ 
ening; and the different kinds of unfermented 
pastry, are very difficult of digestion; and, if 


FOOD. 


77 


eaten hot, particularly offensive to certain consti¬ 
tutions. The crust of bread is the most digestible, 
but the crumb the most nutritious part of it. 

New-baked bread always contains much of an 
indigestible paste; which is remedied, either by 
allowing it to dry for two or three days, or by toast¬ 
ing iu Stale bread, in every respect, deserves the 
preference: and persons troubled with flatulency, 
cramp of the stomach, and indigestion, should 
not, upon any account, eat new bread, and still 
less, hot rolls and butter. Indeed, all pastry 
whatever is unwholesome, especially when hot.” 

Willich, 

There is no error in this country more danger¬ 
ous, or more common, than the neglect of bread; 
for it is the safest of vegetable aliment, and the 
best corrector of animal food; and, by a large 
proportion of this alone, its bad consequences, 
when used in an hypochondriac state, have been 
obviated.” Eiic^clop. Britann. 

Butter spread on bread in a cold state, or simply 
melted, is an innocent, nutritious, and, for most 
people, a wholesome part of diet; but, when used 
very hot, fried, or in the least burnt, is far less so; 
being very oppressive and unfriendly to the sto¬ 
mach and digestion, not unfrequently impairing 
that faculty, and occasioning giddiness, head-ach, 
and sickness at the stomach; symptoms often,, 
though erroneously, imputed to other causes. 

It should always be chosen fresh and sweet, as 
that which is stale or rancid, provessometimes par¬ 
ticularly disagreeable and oft'ensive to certain sto¬ 
machs, especially in hot climates and seasons. 

From many incontestible proofs, that butter, 
in considerable quantities, is injurious, it ds.less* 
used in manv families. It is found, by manv, to 

H'2 




be very difficult of digestion^ especially wReit 
toasted before the fire^ or fried^ as well as in sauces. 
Many people,, apparently robust, and whose or=^ 
gans of digestion are strong, often find themselves^ 
much disordered by large quantities of butter. I^o- 
thing more speedily and effectually gives the sick 
head-ach, and sometimes within a very few hours. 
After breakfast, if much toast and butter have 
been used, it begins with a singular kind of glim-- 
inering in the sight; objects swiftly changing their 
apparent position, surrounded with luminous an* 
gles, like those of a fortification. Giddiness comes 
on, head-ach, and sickness. An emetic and warm 
water soon wash off the offending matter, and re¬ 
move these disorders. These are circumstances 
that often happen to people who are inattentive to 
the quantity of butter they eat at breakfast; and 
who are very often attempted to be cured by very 
different remedies, and improper ones. 

A moderate quantity of fresh butter, with 
bread exposed as little to the fire as possible, or not 
at all, but used cold, appears to me to be whole¬ 
some : it is capable of becoming, with the other 
aliments, as soft and inoffensive chyle> perhaps, as 
any part of diet.^’ Fothe7'gill. 

As a wholesome aliment, butter should be 
fresh and free from rancidity, and not fried or 
burnt; otherwise, the acid being disengaged by 
age and fermentation, as well as by fire, it will 
disorder digestion, render it difficult and painful, 
excite acrid empyreumatic belchings, and intro¬ 
duce much acrimony into the blood.’^ 

Hall’s Enc^clop,^ 
Milk is a most valuable and healthy kind of diet^ 
not only in the morning, but at other times of the 
day ; but custom has, in great measure, bartered 


F00J>. fg 

its lise for the debilitating and less salutary articles 
of tea, coffee, &c. 

Milk, indeed, does not agree with all constitu¬ 
tions; but this is to be attributed, in great measure,, 
to its not being used constantly in early life; for 
almost every person, with whom milk disagrees, 
is disordered; that is, his stomach and organs of 
digestion are in a morbid or debilitated state, or 
contain a superabundant quantity of acid; both of 
which are generally combined, and are to be re-^ 
moved by a course of alkaline salts, or absorbent 
earths, with bitters, particularly the quassia and 
Colombo root. In those persons, the acid in the 
stomach coagulates the milk, forming a hard indi¬ 
gestible curd, which frequently occasions colic 
pains, and other symptoms of indigestion, usually 
occurring in such cases; agreeably to what I have 
already observed, that much vinegar and cider, 
and other sour liquors, are improper for persons 
who live altogether upon a milk diet. 

This property in milk may, sometimes, be pre¬ 
vented by boiling it, or by mixing with it either a 
little chalk, magnesia, limewater, castile soap, spi¬ 
rits of hartshorn, ley of tartar, the prepared pow¬ 
der of oyster-shells, or that of egg-shells. 

Milk seems pointed out by nature in early life 
for the diet of man; for the new-born infant im¬ 
mediately applies to the breast, and lives upon it: 
and yet we sometimes hear adults say, that it is toe 
heavy and indigestible for their stomachs: which 
may, perhaps, be the case; but it is owing, in 
great measure, to their not being inured to it whilst 
young, and to their stomachs’ being habituated to, 
and debilitated by, hot enervating liquors, such 
as tea, coffee, &c. 

It has been questioned, whether milk, in a crud^ 


80 


FOOD. 


or boiled state, is most laxative and healthsomer 
There is no certain invariable difference or prefer¬ 
ence. I think, however, that, for most persons 
in perfect health, raw milk is sufficiently well- 
adapted; but, for valetudinarians and convales¬ 
cents, and for those with whom it is apt to disagree, 
it may be safest and best to boil it. 

It is procured from various animals, and is> 
therefore, of diflerent kinds; but it will not be ex¬ 
pected, that I shall enter into a distinct considera¬ 
tion of them here: 1 shall, therefore, only observe, 
that cows’ milk is the kind generall}" used in this 
country; and that this has been found, by experi¬ 
ments, to contain a much larger proportion of 
unctuous or nutritious matter, than women’s milk: 
which points out the advantage of early ablactation 
or weaning of children ; and which, there is fre¬ 
quent occasion to observe, especially when the 
constitution and health of the mother or nurse are 
not good, and when the milk disagrees with the 
child. And they would generally be more heal¬ 
thy and strong, if weaned under a year old, than 
over it. 

Among the adv-antages of milk as an article of 
diet, deserves to be ranked as not the least, its pe¬ 
culiar excellence, both for children, and for mo¬ 
thers and nurses who suckle; for whom it exceeds, 
and answers the purpose of almost all other kinds 
of nourishment. 

Although milk appears, at first view, as it flows 
from the breasts or udders of animals, to be one 
simple, homogeneous fluid, yet it may, by chymi- 
cal analysis, and domestic processes, be decom¬ 
pounded and separated into various parts. The 
former falls not within my present province, it 
being the latter only which I am to consider here. 


FOOD. 


Bl 

I shall^ therefore^ only observe^ Isb that milk, 
by standing, throws up to its surface an unctuous 
or oily part, called cream, which may, by agita¬ 
tion, be converted or changed into butter, and a 
portion of remaining sour milk: and, 2d, that, 
by the admixture of rennet, milk may be chang¬ 
ed into a curd, of which cheese is made; and into 
a watery part or whey. 

Cheese, when properly made and preserved, is 
wholesome for those who like it, and with whom 
it agrees. Some particular constitutions are, how¬ 
ever, found, with whom it disagrees; and such 
•sliould, therefore, avoid it. Old cheese is thought 
to be useful in assisting digestion, when eaten with 
hard insoluble food, or soon after it: and it has 
been found particularly so, in relieving the bad 
effects of eating much green or sour fruit, such as 
cherries, plums, &c. 

The liberal use of both milk and cheese is ob¬ 
served, in some constitutions, to occasion costive¬ 
ness; which, those who use them and find to be 
the case, should guard against, either by avoid¬ 
ing them, or by some of the means which I shall 
point out for that purpose in a succeeding chapter. 

Whey I have already mentioned as drink; and 
it contains considerable nourishment; and is par¬ 
ticularly serviceable in hectic, nephritic, and cal¬ 
culous, or gravelly disorders; and, in other com¬ 
plaints of the urinar}^ passages. 

Milk being of an intermediate nature betwixt- 
vegetable and animal food, is particularly adapted 
to those constitutions and states of convalescence, 
in which the former disagrees, and the latter is in¬ 
admissible; and, in all cases, in which irritation 
is to be avoided, as in hectic fever, &c. 

A milk diet, joined with exercise, and abstinence 




sa 

from animal fopd;, and from wine, may not dnly 
be considered as a preventive, but an almost cer¬ 
tain cure for the gout, and many other inflamma-* 
tory disorders, especially, if begun early, and 
faithfully persevered in. Milk, with fresh vege¬ 
tables and fruits, has been found no less effectual 
both in preventing and curing the sea-scurvy, and 
other diseases occasioned by a putrescent state of 
the fluids. 

It is, however, improper to eat acid substances 
together with milk, as this mass would occasion 
fermentation and corruption; while, on the con¬ 
trary, the natural coagulation is only a separation 
of the constituent parts, not a transition of this 
mild fluid into the state of acid fermentation; for 
this is prevented by the saponaceous digestive li¬ 
quors, thoiisrh the milk itself be coagulated.’' 

‘‘ Milk approaches to the nature of vegetable 
aliment, but is not capable of its noxious vinous- 
fermentation, and, therefore, has an advantage 
over it; neither from this quality, like animal food, 
is it heating in the stomach, and productive of fe¬ 
ver; though, at the same time, from its quantity 
of coagulable matter, it is more nourishing than 
vegetables. Dr. Cullen observes, ^ That milk is 
almost suited to all temperaments; and it is even 
so to stomachs disposed to acescency, more than 
those substances which have undergone the vinous 
fermentation; nay, it even cures the heartburn, 
checks vinous fermentation, and precipitates the 
lees, when, by renewal of fermentation, the wine 
happens to be fouled. It, therefore, very properly. 
accompanies a great deal of vegetable aliment, 
although, sojnetimes, its acescency is troublesome, 
either from a large portion taken in^ or from the 


■83 


pooi). 

degree of it; for^ according to certain unaccoiint- 
able circumstances, different acids are formed in 
the stomach iii diiierent states of tiie body; in a 
healthy body^ e. g. a mild one; in the hvpocbon- 
driac disease, one sometimes as corrosive as the 
fossil acid/ It has been imagined, that a rennet 
is to be found in the stomachs of all animals, 
which causes coagulation of milk; but, to Dr. 
■Cullen, the coagulation.of milk seems to be owing 
to a weak acid in the stomach, the relics or our 
yegetable tood, inducing in iicaitliy persons, a 
weak and soluble coagulum: but in difierent sto¬ 
machs, this may be very diherent, in these be¬ 
coming heavy and less soluble t’ood, and sometimes 
even evacuated in a coagulated undissolved state, 
both by stomach and stool. 

“ As milk is acescent, it may be rendered some¬ 
times purgative by mixing with the bile; and some 
examples of this have been remarked. More 
commonly, however, it is reckoned among those 
foods which occasion costiveness. 

How^ever, we may allowg that milk is alwa3"s 
somehow insoluble in the intestines, as it is of a 
diying nature, and as cheese, Sec. is very costive. 
And tihis effect show's, that milk is always coagulat¬ 
ed in the stomach; for, if it remained fluid, no 
faeces would be produced, whereas, sometimes, 
veiy hard ones are observed. In the blood vessels, 
from its animal nature, it may be considered as 
nutritious; but, when we consider its vegetable 
contents, and acescency in the primae viae, we find 
that, like animal food, it does not excite that de¬ 
gree of fever in the time of digestion, and that, 
from its acescency, it will resist putrefaction. 
Hence, its use in hectic fevers, which, whatever 
he their cause, appears only to be exacerbations of 


VOOT). 


434 

natural feverish paroxysms^ which occur twice 
every day, commonly after meals, and at night. 
To obviate these, therefore, we give such an ali¬ 
ment as produces the least exacerbation of those 
fevers: and of this nature is milk, on account of 
4ts acescent vegetable nature. 

There appears, also, somewhat peculiar to 
milk, which requires only a small exertion of the 
animal powers in order to its assimilation; and, 
besides, in hectic complaints, there is wanted an 
oily, bland food, approaching to the animal nature; 
so that, on all these accounts, milk is a diet pecu¬ 
liarly adapted to them; and, in general, to most 
convalescents, and to those of inflammatory tem¬ 
peraments.” Encyclop. Britann. 

Another difference in the use of milk exposed 
for some time to the air, is taking it boiled or un¬ 
boiled. Physicians have generally recommended 
the former; but the reason is not easily assigned. 
Perhaps it is this: milk kept for some time exposed 
to the air, has gone so far to a spontaneous sepa¬ 
ration; whereas the heat thoroughly blends the 
whole, and hence its resolution is not so easy in 
the stomach: and thus, boiled milk is more costive 
than raw, and gives more faeces. Again, when 
milk is boiled, a considerable quantity of air is de¬ 
tached, as appears from the froth on the surface; 
and air is the chief instrument of fermentation in 
bodies; so that, after this process, it is not liable 
to acescency; for these reasons, it is proper for 
the robust and vigorous.” Halfs Encyclop. 

While milk is judged to be the proper nou- 
Tishment of new-born animals, there can hardly 
be a doubt that, to every new-born animal, the 
milk best adapted to it-mpst be that of the species 


FOOD, 


So 


it belongs to^, and consequently, that of the mo¬ 
ther who had immediately produced it. 

How long this nourishment is the best adapted 
to infants, it is difficult to determine; but the very 
purpose of multiplying the species shows, that 
nature has set some limits to it. So far as we can 
trust our observations on the human species, we 
find inconveniences from either too short or too 
long nursing. And it appears to me, that either 
less than seven, or more than eleven months, is 
generally hurtful; so that the ordinary practice of 
nine months seems to be well founded. From 
some accidental circumstances, this measure may 
be safely varied; but what are the circumstances 
of the infant’s constitution that require it to be va¬ 
ried, more or less, has not, that 1 know of, been 
properly ascertained. The making it somewhat 
longer than the usual term is the safest; but I am 
persuaded, that long-nursing contributes to in¬ 
crease the disposition to rickets; and wherever chil¬ 
dren are slow in their teething, it seems improper 
to protract their nursing. 

Upon the subject of the chief use of human 
milk, it remains only to say, what may be the most 
proper to put nurses in the best condition to afford 
milk in the greatest plenty, and of the most proper 
quality. To this purpose I need not say, that if a 
nurse is chosen of a sound constitution, whatever, 
in general, is proper to preserve health, is the 
chief, perhaps all, that is necessary to make her a 
good nurse. What are the measures, in general, 
proper for this purpose, it is not requisite to say; 
and the only particular that we are engaged to 
consider here, is, that after having said so much 
of the connexion between the diet employed, and 
the milk produced, that we should determine^ as 


FOOD. 


,.8G 

well as we can^ what is the most proper diet for 
nurses. 

To ascertain this^ we may observe^ that the 
milks employed by the human species are all taken 
from animals living very entirely upon vegetable 
aliment; and^ therefore, that a milk produced from 
that, is sufficiently well suited to the human eeono- 
my: but, that it is the best suited to it, may be 
doubted from hence, that the milk destined to 
new-born children is the milk of women, who are 
capable of employing, and do commonly einploj", 
a mixed diet of animal and vegetable matter: from 
Avhich it might be inferred, that a milk afforded 
by such a diet, was the best suited to the human 
economy, even in the infant state. 

‘‘ If, however, it be considered, that women’s 
milk contains as much vegetable matter as any 
others and, that nature has appointed it to be em¬ 
ployed at a time when the chief purpose seems to 
be the introducing a vegetable matter, the use of 
a diet allowable, and, perhaps, necessary, at other 
times, does not afford an argument for its being 
proper upon this occasion. 

1 might say a great deal to show', that the hu¬ 
man economy, except in few instances, does not 
absolutely demand the use of animal food; that, 
in fewer instances still, does it demand it in large 
proportion: and that, for the most part, the health 
of the human body is best preserved by a large 
proportion of vegetable food. So, from ail this, 
I think it will readily follow, that the health of 
W'omen, during tlie time of their nursing, may be 
safely sustained by the use of vegetable aliments 
..alone. 

From the employment, tlierefore, of animal 
ffiod by the human species, there arises no argumenj: 


FOOD. 


for the necessity or propriety of a woman’s taking 
animal food during the time of her nursing. I allege 
it to he a matter of experience^ that supposing the 
quantity of liquid to be the saiim, nurses living en¬ 
tirely,, or for the greater part^ upon vegetable ali¬ 
ment, afford a greater quantity of milk, and of 
more proper quality, than nurses living upon much 
animal food. This, I venture to assert, from the 
observation of fifty years;- during wdiich time, I 
have known innumerable instances of the healthiest 
children reared upon the milk of nurses living en¬ 
tirely upon vegetable aliments; and I have known 
many instances of children becoming diseased, by 
their being fed by the milk of nurses who had 
changed their diet from entirely vegetable, to the 
taking in a quantity of animal food. Nay, I have 
known instances of children’s becoming disordered 
from a nurse’s making a single meal of an unusu¬ 
ally large proportion of animal food. 

It now remains to consider the use of milk as 
an aliment for adults. It is seldom that the milk 
of women, or of asses and mares, is employed for 
the whole, or even for a great part of diet; but,, 
when they can be employed in sufficient quantity, 
there is no doubt of their being sufficiently fit for 
the purpose, though certainly affording a weaker 
nourishment than an equal quantity of the milk of 
ruminant animals. It is the milk of the latter, 
and especially that of cows, that is employed in 
this country; and it is almost only with respect to 
this, that I have had sufficient opportunities of. 
making observation, so as to treat of it properly 
here. 

As the different parts of which milk, in gene¬ 
ral, consists, are all of a nutritious quality, and 
probably better suited to the purpose by tlieir be- 


8$ 


FOOB. 


ing introduced in a very liquid form; so^ cows^ mi]& 
coininonly contains so much nutritious matter as to- 
render it a very proper aliment: and we kno^v that it 
is often sufficient for the whole of the nourishment 
of a man; and at leasts in many instances, that 
it can serve for a veiy^ considerable part of it. 

While it is thus, in general, suited to the nou¬ 
rishment of men, it seems to be equally fit for 
them at every period of life, except for a few 
months of infancy; when, though cows’ milk has, 
on certain occasions, answered the purpose, yet, 
from what has been said above, it does not seem, 
in any case, quite so fit as the milk of women: 
at every other period of life, except that mention¬ 
ed, there can be little doubt of cows’ milk being 
a sufficiently fit nourishment; but it may be more 
or less so at different periods. Tlie younger chil¬ 
dren are, within the bounds mentioned, it seems 
to be more fit; as, at the same period, for the 
reasons given above, that vegetable aliment is 
necessary: but, as it is doubtful, if the economy 
can be properly supported by vegetable aliment 
alone; so, milk, as affording a portion of alkales¬ 
cent matter, will be properly joined with it: and 
we know instances of a numerous people, who are 
sustained in a condition fit for all the functions of 
life, by milk and vegetable aliment alone. There 
can be no doubt, therefore, of the propriety of 
rearing children in the same manner. I believe it 
is hardly ever necessary to give children, under 
tlie age of puberty, any quantity of animal food; 
and we have innumerable instances^ in this country 
of children reared to the most perfect health and 
strength without the use of it, except the small 
quantity of it that is given by an egg, and this very 
sparingly and seldom bestowed. On the other 


rooDi 


m 

handj I have often observed, that animal food 
miicli employed under the age of puberty, haS’ 
very hurtful effects, particularly in giving irritabi¬ 
lity and an inflammatory disposition to the system. 
W^e are, indeed, of opinion, that a certain portion 
of animal food is intended by nature, and is very 
well suited to the human constitution; and, in cold 
climates, at the period of life when men are en¬ 
gaged in the laborious business of life, that animal 
food is then especially proper; and, perhaps, ne¬ 
cessary; while, at the same time, milk may be 
less sufficient for the purpose. 

It appears, indeed, clearly enough, that milk, 
in a certain proportion, is an aliment very wmll 
suited to every period of life; and might be con¬ 
stantly employed, except in certain persons whose 
stomachs do not seem to digest it properly. From 
what cause this happens is difficult to determine. 
In every stomach milk is coagulated; but, in cer¬ 
tain stomachs, it seems to be coagulated more 
firmly than in others, and, in that state, to resist 
the solvent powers of the gastric fluid: and we 
have had instances of this in which milk taken into 
the stomach was, after many hours, rejected by 
vomiting in large curdled masses. What this de- 
|7ends upon, I do*not know, nor have, indeed, 
learned how it is to be remedied. In other cases, 
we have found, that milk was more ready to be¬ 
come acid in certain stomachs than in others; and 
there is little doubt, that in these, also, a coagula¬ 
tion takes place; but as we know, that milk spon¬ 
taneously coagulated, or coagulated by acids, is 
often taken down with perfect impunity; so, it ap- 
j)ears to me, that the coagulation which is here 
joined wdth aciditjg has little or no share in the 
disorders that folloWi 

I^ 


90 


rooD. 


Milk is certainly hurtful by its acescency'im 
110 other case, but where the stomach is preterna- 
turally disposed to an acescent fermentation; when, 
indeed, it may be hurtful, and, like other aces- 
cents, aggrayate the disease. It is, however^ to be 
observed, in favour of milk, that when the serous 
part of it becomes acid in the stomacli, the oily 
and caseous parts are particularly fit for re-absorb¬ 
ing and uniting with the acid towards forming an 
animal fluid: and it is upon this account, if 1 mis¬ 
take not, that, for the most part, milk is of easy 
digestion, and soon fills the laeteals with chyle. 
Of its fitness to unite with acids, we have this 
proof, that milk, when coagulated by acids, has 
the acid always joined to the coagulated part; and,, 
in the first appearances of spontaneous coagulation, 
tlie acid wdiich is formed nearly at tlie same time, 
is always intimately united with the coagulated 
part. It is in proof of this, that 1 have known 
many instances of heart-burn, from acidity pre¬ 
vailing in the stomach, immediatel}- cured by a 
draught, of fresh milk. 

Another disease, to wdiich it is alleged that 
milk is the proper remedy, is the gout. It seems 
tome, that the gout always begins in a plethoric 
habit, and that is supported and made ready to 
recur by the same; and, consequently, that, if a 
man never used animal food, he w ould never have 
the gout: and, that this is'commonly the case, is 
strongly confirmed by this, that there is hardly an 
instance of men who have been reared, and who 
have lived very entirely upon a milk and vegetable- 
diet, ever having the disease. To this considera¬ 
tion may be joined that of the many instances of 
men, who, by accident, have been reduced to low 
living, being cured of the gout, with which, be- 


FOOD. 


§I 

fore^ they had been long afflicted. To apply this' 
to our present subject, we shall observe, that as 
milk can never give a plethoric habit, so, we be¬ 
lieve, that a diet consisting chiefly of milk, will 
save a person from ever being attacked with the 
gout. As we know, however, that, in the pletho¬ 
ric habits liable to this disease, a certain degree of 
vigour, and a certain firmness of tone in the whole 
system, particularly discovered by the state of that 
in the stomach, are necessary to produce the in¬ 
flammation of the extremities, the necessary crisis 
in such habits; so, various disorders may be occa¬ 
sioned in such persons by diminishing the vigour 
and tone of the system. Accordingly, it is possi¬ 
ble, that a milk diet more especially as a cliange 
from one more nourishing, may have that eflect; 
and, I am therefore of opinion, that for entirely 
preventing the gout, it is necessary that a milk 
diet be entered upon early in life, before the gouty 
diathesis be formed. But if, after the gout has 
come on, a milk diet is to be employed for a cure, 
it must be in persons of entire vigour only; and 
there are instances of its being employed in such 
with advantage and safety. In gouty persons, 
liowever, advanced in life, and who are liable to- 
a loss of tone, there may be much danger in at¬ 
tempting a milk diet; but, at the same time, I 
must say, that as milk is not so weak a diet as one 
entirely of vegetables, so the former will alwa3^s 
he more safe than the latter.” Cullen. 

Much has been said and written on the use of 
tea, as a part of diet; and, considering its long 
established and almost universal use among all 
ranks of people, perhaps my opinion will be little 
regarded; for custom is no less powerful in drink 
and food, than in man}^ other things: however 


TOOfe. 


that may bc^ after delivering my sentiment I sluili' 
leave others to judge for themselves. Tea being- 
prepared and used m a liquid form, becomes a spe¬ 
cies of drink; and, therefore, it might not impro¬ 
perly have been considered as such; but it being ge¬ 
nerally drunk at table, and with food, has induced 
me to treat of it in the present chapter. 

It is difficult to account for so general use of an 
article brought so far, unless it be imputed to a 
predilection for foreign things, and to mere cus¬ 
tom or fashion; for it will be admitted, that tea 
possesses no very nutritious qualities, nor any veiy 
agreeable taste, more than may^ be ascribed to its 
constant and habitual use; it being now establish¬ 
ed, upon undoubted authority, that all the differ¬ 
ent kinds are the produce of one and the same 
plant; and that the difference depends only on the 
soil, time of gathering, and method of preparing 
it. 

The use of tea has become so general, that there 
is scarcely a family that passes a day without it, 
either, in the morning, or afternoon, and perhaps,^ 
at both times; but this does not prove itS'great uti- 
lityg or salubrit3^; for people formerly lived with¬ 
out it, and were healthy; and it is thougiit more so 
than they are with it; though it is not denied, that 
common bohea tea, made weak, and drunk cool, 
with a large portion of milk, and little sugar, may 
be pretty innocent; but it is judged, that a con¬ 
stant and liberal use of the highly flavoured kinds, 
drunk strong and hot, with little or no addition, 
relaxes and weakens the stomach, and impairs di¬ 
gestion; and is, therefore, injurious to health. 

It is supposed, that tea contains a volatile, cor¬ 
dial, or reviving principle; which, if admitted,, 
is nothing fn favour of its wholesomeness for con- 


FOOD. 


?^antiise; for powers of a stimulant nature^ when 
long continued, are sure to he followed by an ato¬ 
nic or debilitated state of the stomach; and, finally, 
of the whole constitution. 

Many cheaper and more innocent substitutes 
may be found in our own country; which, if pre¬ 
pared in a similar manner, should be used rather 
cool than hot. 

Both tea and coffee are a far less salutary part of 
diet, particularly for children, than milk and its dif¬ 
ferent preparations, with those of arrow-root, sago, 
tapioca, and salep. 

Tea, when received into the stomach, is highly 
debilitating and relaxing, and the immoderate use 
of it is attended wdth the most pernicious effects. 
It is curious to observe the revolution which hath 
taken place, within this century, in the constitu¬ 
tions of the people of Europe. Inflammatory dis¬ 
eases more rarely occur; and, in general, are much 
less rapid and violent in their progress, than for¬ 
merly. 

This advantageous change, however, is more 
than counterbalanced by the introduction of a nu¬ 
merous class of nervous ailments, in a great mea¬ 
sure, unknown to our ancestors; but, which now 
prevail universally, and are complicated with al¬ 
most every other distemper. The bodies of men 
are enfeebled and enervated; and it is not uncom¬ 
mon to observe very high degrees of irritability, 
under the external appearance of great strength 
and robustness. The hypochondria, palsies, ca¬ 
chexies, dropsies, and all those diseases which 
arise from laxity and debility, are in our days en¬ 
demic every where; and the hysterics, which used 
to be peculiar to the women, as the name itself 
indicates, now attacks both sexes indiscriminately. 


FOOD.- 


§4^ 

It is evident, that so great a revolution could not* 
be effected without the concurrence of many causes;^ 
but, amongst these, I apprehend, the present ge¬ 
neral use of tea, holds the first and principal rank.- 
The second place may, perhaps, be allotted to ex¬ 
cess in spirituous-liquors. This pernicious custom, 
in. many instances at least, owes its rise to the for¬ 
mer; which, by the lowness and depression of 
spirits it occasions, renders it almost necessary to 
have recourse to what is cordial and exhilarating. 
And, hence, proceed those odious and disgrace¬ 
ful habits of intemperance, with which too many 
of the softer sex, of every degree, are now, alas! 
chargeable. 

Green tea is mueh more sedative and relax¬ 
ing than bohea; and the finer the species of tea, 
tlie more debilitating and pernicious are its effects, 
as 1 have frequently observed in others, and ex¬ 
perienced in myself. 

This seems to be a proof, that the mischiefs 
ascribed to this oriental vegetable, do not arise from- 
the warm vehicle by which it is conveyed into the 
stomach, but chiefly from its own peculiar quali¬ 
ties,” PeixivaL 

A moderate use of fermented or distilled spi¬ 
rituous liquors, is far less prejudicial to the consti¬ 
tution, than the habitual and excessive drinking of 
warm liquors. Tea, the common favourite among, 
all ranks, if taken regularly twice a-day, and in 
large quantities, is attended with bad consequences. 
It thoroughly relaxes the coats of the stomach, 
weakens the bowels, })redisposes them to flatulency 
upon the least occasion, and destroys all the ener¬ 
gy of the digestive organ. These effects, how¬ 
ever, are not so frequent, nor, indeed, to that ex¬ 
tent, if the tea be drunk strong, sufficiently dilute*- 


FOOD. 


9'5 


ed with miik^ and sweetened with sugar. It k 
chiefly the warm water which renders the tea of 
the common people so destructive to the constitu- 
tion, as they generally make up for the indifterent 
quality of the tea by the quantity of water. 

The relaxation which tea occasions in tlie first 
passages^ renders it peculiarly hurtful to females 
of lax fibres^ a thin bloody, and irritable habits. 
To enumerate the great diversity of nervous symp¬ 
toms^ attending its abuse, in such constitutiuris, 
would lead me too far from the prescribed iunits; 
-but so much is certain, that the vapours arising 
from liquors, drunk very hot, like tea, weaken the 
dungs, and dispose their votaries to frequent colds 
and catarrhs, w hich readily make a transition into 
consumptions. 

A moderate use of tea may, sometimes, be of 
service to persons in a perfect statemf health; yet, 
for daily use, it cannot be recommended. 

Hypochondriac and hysteric people, however, 
are much deceived in the efticacy of tea, as a di¬ 
luent drink; for all the evils arising from relaxa¬ 
tion, a weak stomach, and flatulency, under wTicli 
sucli persons usually labour, are, by the habit of 
drinking tea, increased to the most alarming de¬ 
gree. The cold stomach which they propose to 
warm by it, is a mere phantom of the brain: for 
this sensation of cold is nothing but relaxation, 
which, instead of being removed by hot liquors, is 
increased by every repetition of them. 

It would be a great proof of patriotic spirit in 
this country, if the use of this exotic drug were 
either altogether abandoned, or, at least, supplied 
by some indigenous plants of equal flavour, and 
superior salubrity. The Chinese have good reason 
to smile at our degenerate taste, when they are in- 


POOB. 


:96 

.fomiecl_, that we actually possess an immense variety 
of the most valuable aromatic plants, mu(?h better 
calculated by nature to invigorate our stomachs, 
and to revive our spirits, than tea, which we pur¬ 
chase from them at a great expense. These sen¬ 
timents may be ungratei‘ui to tea-dealers, or East 
India merchants, but every honest truth should be 
candidly told to an unbiassed public. 

It would, undoubtedly, be more conducive to 
our health, if we would altogether dispense with 
the use of warm liquors, at least, when in an 
healthy state. But, if this practice must be in¬ 
dulged in, we ought to choose the herbs growing 
in our own meadows and gardens, instead of mak¬ 
ing ourselves tributary to distant nations. AVith 
this intention, the late Dr. Solander introduced 
his sanative tea; not with a view of making it^i 
secret or quack medicine, under which character 
it is now sold in this country, but of recommend¬ 
ing the use of it to those individuals who require 
diluent liquors, and to the heavy, sluggish, and 
phlegmatic. Dr. Tissot had previously recom¬ 
mended the stalks of cherries, and the leaves of 
peach and almond trees, to the poor people of 
Switzerland, as substitutes for tea; but we possess 
a variety of plants infinitely superior to these, of 
which 1 have myself occasionally made trial. 

I shall divide them into three classes; namel}'', 
ist. The strong, spicy, and balsamic plants, such 
as balm, peppermint, sage, and the like. 2d, The 
strongly aromatic dowsers, among which, those of 
the rosa pimpiiielli folia, (or the rose whose leaves 
resemble the hurnet saxifrage), and the woodroof, 
or the asperula odorata, Linn, deserve the first 
pluce, and far excel in flavour all the teas imported 
from China; and, lastly, 3d, Tlie mild aromatic 


rooia. 


97 


leaves and blossoms of trees, and shrubs; for in¬ 
stance^ the blossoms of the lime tree and the black 
thorn; the leaves of the peach and almond trees, 
and, particularly, the first tender leaves of the 
whortie-berries, or the vacciniuni myrtillus, Linn, 
which cannot be distinguished from real tea, when 
|)roperly gathered, and dried in the shade. 

Alter having pointed out the best substitutes 
for Indian tea, I cannot suppress my earnest wish, 
that even these indigenous vegetables may not be 
abused by decocting them in too much water, 
which, when swallowed hot, must be detrimental 
to the stomach and lungs, the nerves, and the 
whole human frame.” Willich. 

All nervous disorders are certainly aggravated 
by the use of tea: and it is equally unfit for 
ehildren and those of lax fibres, especially the 
first, whose fluids bear a much larger proportion 
to the solids of the body than in adults, for whom 
it is more proper; especially those of a warm san- 
guineous temperament. Green tea is mildly as¬ 
tringent, by which the relaxing power of warm 
water is corrected, consequently, w^eak tea, drunk 
too hot, will enervate; and, if very strong, it may 
prove equally pernicious by affecting the head or 
stomach. 

When it is drunk in moderation, and not too 
warm, with a large addition of milk, and little 
sugar, I believe it will seldom prove hurtful, but, 
on the contrary, salutary.” Leak&. 

I shall have occasion to resume the subject of 
tea hereafter; and shall then make some farther 
observations, and adduce some additional authori¬ 
ties, on the nature and effects of tea-drinking in 
the afternoon. 

Coffee is very generally used for breakfast, to 


08 


FOOD. 


which meal^ it is mostly confined in this country, 
though, in some others, it is frequently drunk at 
dinner, immediately after meat: and some think 
this is the most proper time to drink both tea and 
coffee, in order to assist digestion. 

Coffee contains a large quantity of oil, which 
renders it more nutritious than tea; but, whether 
more innocent and wholesome, is doubted by some, 
especially if drunk hot, and without a large pro¬ 
portion of milk ; for it is thought, that the hot 
state in which both are used, contributes greatly to 
increase their unhealthiness. 

The goodness and wholesomeness of coffee de¬ 
pend much on the torrefaction of the seeds, which 
should be only browned or roasted, not parched or 
burnt, before they are used ; as, by the latter, the 
oil in them is rendered empyreumatic, and particu¬ 
larly offensive to certain stomachs. 

It is supposed that an infusion, or a simple de¬ 
coction of the berries, is more innocent and health¬ 
ful than one made by long boiling, in which last 
way, it is generally prepared in cities and towns, 
where it is much more used than in country places. 

Sugar, in a small proportion, is a wholesome ad¬ 
dition to both tea and coffee : and milk, or cream is, 
undoubtedly so, in large quantity. 

Coffee is not only an article of diet, but when 
prepared strong, is an useful p re\ entive and reme¬ 
dy in asthmatic disorders of the spasmodic kind; and 
in nervous, periodical headachs, depending on de¬ 
bility of the stomach. 

Various substitutes have been proposed and used 
for coffee, such as rye, barlej', pease, almonds, len¬ 
tils, acorns, and of late, the root of the beta cicla, 
or scarcitj^-root, and even potatoes; but none have 
been found equal to the Indian coffee. A portion 


i-OOD'. 


91> 


isf some of these mavj however^, be usefully added to 
it^ for those who have been accustomed to drink it 
very strong, and witli whom it disagrees. 

It is rare to see great and constant drinkers of 
strong tea and coffee, somew hat advanced in life, 
wdio have not some symptoms of w^eakness, tremors, 
or indigestion : wherefore, it is judged, that the 
great number and increase of paraljnic, nervous, 
and hypochondriac diseases are, in part, to be attri¬ 
buted to the frequent and excessive use of those 
articles, drunk in a hot and strong state. 

From these observations w^e may infer, that coffee 
is slightly astringent and antiseptic ; that it mode¬ 
rates alimentary fermentation, and is pow erfully se¬ 
dative. Its action on the nervous system probably 
depends on the oil it contains; which receives its 
flavour, and is rendered mildly empyreumatic by 
the process of roasting: and it is w'ell known, that 
rye, torrefied with a few almonds, w hich furnish tlie 
necessary proportion of oil, is now frequently em¬ 
ployed as a substitute for these berries. 

In delicate habits, it often occasions watchful¬ 
ness, tremors, and many of those compiaints which 
are denominated nervous. It has even been sus¬ 
pected of producing palsies ; and from my owm ob 
servation, I should apprehend, not entirely without 
foundation. 

Slare affirms, that he became paralytic by the too 
liberal use of coffee, and that his disorder was re¬ 
moved by abstinence from that liquor.’^ 

PcrcivaL 

Coffee is a decoction of the woll-knowm bean 
or berry of that name, roasted and ground into 
powder. The bitter and astringent powers of the 
beans, in some measure, correct the bad properties 
of worm water; but if they be too much roasted.,, 


100 


POOI>. 


tbeir empyreiimatic oil is expelled, and they ae^ 
quire an insipid taste. If, on the other hand, 
they be not suliiciently toasted, this burnt oil is not 
evolved to the surface of the bean, and the coffee 
acquires a bitter and unpleasant flavour. 

" If drunk too strong, it aftects the nerves; and, 
by its penetrating property, often occasions tremors 
of the hands and sleeplessness; but, in some 
phlegmatic and indolent individuals, it is apt to 
«xcite sleep. 

“ If coffee be not used merely as a diluent for 
relaxing, the fibres, it ought to be made strong. 
The best proportion is one ounce of well-roasted 
and ground cofl'ee to one pound, or one pint of water, 
which should be just allowed to boil up; for, the^ 
longer it is boiled, it loses the more of its volatile 
and aromatic particles; and, consequently, be¬ 
comes weak and insipid. As coffee is possessed of 
excellent antispasmodic virtues, it is a favourite be¬ 
verage with the hypochondriac and hysteric; and, 
according to early observation, it is also the besfe 
and most effectual remedy in spasmodic asthma. 

An immoderate use, however, of this decoc¬ 
tion, is prejudicial to the healthy, and destructive 
to the diseased. It debilitates the latter still more, 
by causing great undulations in the blood, tremor 
of the limbs, giddiness, and a certain insupport¬ 
able timidity. It leads people of a sanguine tem¬ 
perament, and particularly females, to the long- 
train of all the fashionable nervous diseases.” 

Willic/i. 

Chocolate is used for breakfast by some, but not 
so generally as tea and coffee. It is well known 
to bean artificial compound substance, containing 
a large proportion of unctuous or oily matter;, 
aud,j therefore, requiring strong powers of diges- 


POOD. 


im 

tion : for which reason, it should he made weak, 
mixed with a large proportion of milk, and used 
sparingly, without much butter or oil. Under 
which circumstances, it is a healthy part of diet. 

It is of so nutritious and satiating a nature, that 
it is not improperly, nor unfrequently used at diiv 
ner by those who, through inclination or necessity, 
partake of little or no animal food. 

Some use the shells or husks of the kernels of the 
coeoa-nut, or chocolate-nut tree, prepared like 
coffee, as a substitute for this article: they make 
a light and wholesome beverage for those who like 
it, and with whom coffee, and the common com-^ 
pound preparation of chocolate, disagree. 

It has not been observed, 1 believe, that those 
who, in this jnanner, make chocolate a part of 
their food, are subject to any particular distempers* 
It may be considered, therefore, as a wholesome 
kind of breakfast to those who like it, and with whom 
it agrees. It is of an unctuous nature: therefore, 
little or no butter should be used with it. Were it 
commonly made thinner than is the general prac¬ 
tice, and a large proportion of milk added, it 
would seem to be much more proper for common 
use,, than as it is generally served up at present.” 

FotliergilL 

Chocolate, especially when boiled with milk 
and eggs, is exceedingly nourishing: but the spices 
with which it is mixed, such as cinnamon, cloves, 
musk, vanilla, and the like, make it the more 
heating, and less wholesome. The common cho¬ 
colate prepared with sugar, eggs, milk, and wa¬ 
ter, is the most nutritive and wholesome; but a too 
frequent and immoderate use of it is always hurtful, 
particularly to hysteric and hypochondriac persons^ 
es the cacao is too fat and indigestible to them, and 
K 2 


102, 


FOOD. 


cM'eates a false or forced appetite. Cacao, of itsdf^ 
is less heating and lighter, than if made into cho¬ 
colate; but it is not so nourishing. The immode- 
late use of this oily beverage is apt to induce a 
febrile state in young people, and to supj)ly the 
sedentary with superhuous nourishment; while it 
frequently brings on, like coffee, a state of irrita¬ 
bility and uneasiness. To the corpulent aiid weak,, 
it is improper, and, if they be immoderate eaters^ 
it induces inflammatory diseases and apoplexies.” 

WiliicL 

Animal food is eaten by some for breakfast; but 
much of it is not very commonly used at tiiis meal, 
except by farmers and other hard labourers, for 
whom it may be more admissible and innoxious 
hut, from tvhat I shall say hereafter, it will appear,, 
that much flesh is not so essentially necessary, at 
any meal, even for that class of people, as some 
have supposed. 

• Section 2. Dinner. 

Dinner is the meal, in which the greatest excess 
©f diet is generally committed : indeed, some per¬ 
sons eat very little breakfast, and seem to save and 
whet their appetites for dinner; but it would be 
better if great or luxurious eaters were to divide 
their meals more equally; that, is, to eat more in 
the morning, and, by that means, to lessen the 
appetite at noon. 

Some have not much appetite for breakfast early 
in the morning; but it is frequently owing to eat¬ 
ing late heavy suppers, and to lying a-bed latei 
both of which are not according to the rules of 
health. 

It may, perhaps, be understood, from what I 


TOOTJ. 


TOS 

have already said, that, if people were careful not 
to exceed in the quantity of food, the quality was 
to be little regarded; but this is not my meaning; 
neither is it of the experienced Dr. Fothergill, 
whom 1 have several times quoted, and once in 
these words: “ Though I think the quantity of 
food IS a matter principally to be regarded, yet the 
quality is not a matter of indifference.” 

It is at this meal, also, when the greatest variety 
is generally prepared and partaken of; and such 
as IS of the most hurtful tendency or consequence; 
but, to mention every article, would require a vo¬ 
lume, and not be within my prescribed plan. I 
shall, therefore, first, give my opinion on the na¬ 
ture and difference between animal and vegetable 
food; and then enumerate some of the articles 
most commonly used at this meal. 

From observing that some nations or individuals 
live almost entirely on animal, and others on ve¬ 
getable food; and that all, perhaps, enjoy a pretty 
good state of health; it might, from hence, be 
inferred, that both are equally healthful; but the 
result of my observation and experience, both on 
my own constitution, and on those of others, has 
led me to believe, that a vegetable diet, or one in 
great part so, is most consistent with, and condu¬ 
cive to ease, health, and longevity; for I have 
generally observed such to enjoy the most uninter¬ 
rupted health; to be subject to the fewest diseases, 
the mildest symptoms, and the least mortality : 
while, on the contrary, 1 have frequently remark¬ 
ed, that those who live much on animal and highly 
seasoned food, are oftener indisposed, and pecu¬ 
liarly liable to both inflammatory and putrid disor¬ 
ders, attended with violent symptoms, and great 
mortality. And I have heretofore said, that im- 


>04 


FOOD. 


moderate eaters are prone to mucb the same dis¬ 
eases^ as excessive driiilvers: in short, they are 
frequently concomitants in the same subject, until 
drink destroys the appetite for food; which is, and 
ought to have been mentioned as one of the per¬ 
nicious effects of strong drink on the constitu¬ 
tion; and which is more often the consequence 
of distilled, than fermented liquors. 

It may be thought more particularly necessary 
for persons employed in laborious occupations, to 
eat much animal food: this may appear so; at 
least 1 think, that their exercise prevents, in great 
part, the injurious effects that woyld otherwise pro¬ 
bably result from such a diet; but w^e well know', 
that that class of people are, generally, not in cir¬ 
cumstances likely to be supplied with it so plenti¬ 
fully, as many in more easy situations and employ¬ 
ments; and yet, perhaps, subject to fewer diseases, 
except such as may be imputed to their exposed 
situations. And 1 have known many fanners in 
the summer, during their most laborious business, 
to refuse animal food, and prefer milk, and a 
vegetable diet, saying, that they could better en¬ 
dure the heat, thirst, and labour of the hot season, 
with the latter, than the former. Such food may, 
indeed, be needed oftener, but I pronounce it 
more innocent and wholesome, and sufficient for 
most or all the purposes of life. And 1 have fre¬ 
quently observed, that 1 could bear exercise, par¬ 
ticularly riding on horseback, better on a milk and 
vegetable diet, than on much solid animal food. 
And 1 havo somewhere seen a similar remark. 

Indeed, I tliink I foresee the time, and that, 
perhaps, ere long, when men wall endure the heat 
and fatigiies of labour, without much animal food, 
with necidy as great certainty, success, and im- 


POOB. 


10 ^ 
f 

provement of their health, as, within a few 3 'ears, 
they have found they can do, without spirituous 
liquors. 

A change from much animal to vegetable food, 
is particularly useful and necessary, both for per¬ 
sons who migrate from a northern to a southern 
climate, and for such as change their situation fro'm 
a country to a city life; which last is gcneraily 
accompanied with an impure air, and a want of 
exercise: both of which render an attention to diet, 
and to the state of the excretions, more essential 
and important. And a substitution of Vegetable,, 
for much animal food, is, also, more particularly 
necessary in all hot climates, seasons, and places, 
where putrid disorders prevail., 

A large proportion of vegetables,, from being 
liable to run into an acescent fermentation in the 
stomach, may not, however, be altogether so pro¬ 
per for persons troubled with acidities in the primae 
vim or first passages, as a greater share of animal 
food. But; for the same reason, vegetables are 
better adapted for obviating and reducing scorbutic 
and corpulent habits, wdfich generally require diet 
and medicines of a vegetable and acid nature. 

Dinner is, generally, in this country, made up 
of bread, some species of animal food or fish, and 
of various kinds of vegetables or sauces; of each 
of which there are many different kinds. 

Of bread I have already spoken; and I think, 
that a large proportion of it, with flesh, if pro¬ 
perly prepared, contributes to a healthy diet. 

Animal food is of so many dilferent kinds, that 
it will not be expected, that 1 shall mention them 
all separately; but shall only observe here, that 
the kind, as I have above remarked of quantity, 
must be left, in great measure, to every person's 


FOO». 


iOO 

own choice and experience; for observation and 
experience have long evinced, that our idiosjni- 
crasies, or particular constitutions^ are no less di¬ 
versified than our external visages: so that^ what 
is agreeable to one, may be very prejudicial to 
another: and, that this is no less true in diet, than, 
in medicine: for instance, pork may agree well 
with one; beef with another; veal or mutton with 
a third; and, perhaps, fish or fowl with a fourth: 
and yet all these may, perhaps, disagree with as 
many different persons: wherefore, the kind must 
be left to every one’s choice and experience, with 
the caution I have already expressed relative to 
quantity. 

Little animal food is particularly necessary for 
persons of irascible, or passionate dispositions. 

Most kinds of flesh are more soluble and whole¬ 
some, when boiled, than roasted, baked, or fried; 
for, by the last processes, the fat or oily parts are 
frequently rendered empyreumatic or burnt; which 
are very indigestible, and peculiarly offensive to 
weak, delicate stomachs: indeed, the most robust 
rarely escape their effects; and yet most of the flesh 
in cities is cooked in this way, which is more suitable 
for the vigorous stomachs of country people, or, 
more properly, is fit for none. 

It is a contested point, whether flesh is easiest di¬ 
gested, and most healthy, in a rare state, or tho¬ 
roughly cooked.^ There is reason to believe, if 
the former is not generally admitted in every way 
of preparing' it, that its indigestibility is increased 
by long baking, roasting, and frying. 

Butter is often added in this way, or gravy is 
made of it, wdiich undergoes the same change, 
and is, therefore, equally, or, perhaps, more un¬ 
friendly to the stomach aitd digestive organs, 


POOD. 


107 


Boiled flesh generally sits lightest on the'sto¬ 
mach, and is easiest digested 5 and broth is ver\" 
-suitable tor students and sedentary people: and all 
fat soups, witli marrow, are peculiarly adapted for 
such as are subject to a dry bound state of their 
bowels. 

Broths and soups are too little used in diet. In 
this respect, the French cookery is far preferable 
to the English, and more conducive to health. 

It has been found, and ascertained by experi¬ 
ments, that the lean parts of animals are more 
disposed to putrefaction, than the fat; and, there¬ 
fore, are less proper in hot seasons, and putrid 
diseases. 

Most kinds of food, as well as drink, are best 
eaten rather cool than hot; for, in the former 
state, they are more easily digested, and we are 
less apt to commit excess. And it is observed, 
that cool food and drink enable the constitution to 
bear cold better, than those that are hot. 

Fresh animal food is more generally used in cities 
and towns, than salted or pickled; but whether 
more healthy, is to be doubted, especially under 
the present mode of preparing and cooking it. 

A reason for avoiding much animal food, espe¬ 
cially in cities, and during the summer season, is, 
that a great part of the fresh meat brought to 
market,, becomes overheated and feverish by long- 
keeping and driving the animals; and some, per- 
liaps, has already undergone the incipient stage 
of putrefaction before it is cooked. This, I need 
hardly say, must be unwholesome and dangerous; 
and will be likely to produce putrid and malignant 
diseases. 

Another is^ that much salt meat creates a thirst; 


108 


FOOB. 


^nd, consequently^, a sense of suifering or uneasi¬ 
ness for want of drink/ 

It is, therefore, recommended to all in hot sea¬ 
sons and climates, to abstain from much animal 
food; and to those who use it, to eat, instead of 
much fresh meat, that which is smoked or pickled; 
which, if very salt, may be freshened when it is 
cooked: wdiereby the uneasy sensation of thirst, 
and necessity for much drink, will be prevented. 

The necessity for much animal food will appear 
less, and the use can better be dispensed with, 
when we recollect, that the appetite for it is, in 
part, habitual, or at least, is increased by habit, 
somewhat like that for tobacco and spirituous 
liquors; which is clearly proved by persons who 
have been in the daily practice of eating flesh, 
ceasing to crave, after they have sometime refrain¬ 
ed from it. 

Flesh that has become putrescent or tainted, 
should always be avoided. When, however, that 
ehange takes place, and necessity leads to eat it, 
it may be arrested, and, in degree, corrected and 
improved, by burying it in powdered charcoal, or 
by adding some of that substance to it whilst boil¬ 
ing. Or it may be immersed for some time, either 
in a weak alkaline ley, in fresh yeast, or in the lees 
of wine or beer in a fermenting state. 

One meal of animal food is as much flesh as I 
judge conducive to health, for most people, in 
twenty-four hours: and this should be eaten at din¬ 
ner, laiher than at any other time; though some, 
owing, however, 1 believe, in great measure, to 
habit, prefer it at supper, or make an additional 
meal oi* the same at that time; but this is contrary 
to the rules of health. 

W' ere 1 to proportion a dietetic dinner, I would 


T-OOl>. 


109 


iuiiko only one tliird part ot' flcr^bj lisli^ or fowl; 
aiicl the two others equally of bread and veget¬ 
ables. 

\ egetables and condiments^, or sauces, arc no 
less various in kind than animnl food; and, indeed, 
rather more so; therel'ore, 1 shall not mention them 
separately; but, as some are found most agreeable 
and easiest of digestion, the choice must be left to 
every person’s own experience; with this liberty, 
that as most kinds of vegetables are of a lighter 
and more soluble nature, for many people, than 
much animal food, they may more innocently and 
safely be indulged in: and 1 think, that a large 
quantity of those, in proportion to this, contributes 
to a wholesomje diet. 

Some think, that animal food is more quickly 
and easily digested, than vegetables and milk; 
which may, perhaps, be the case in certain con¬ 
stitutions long accustomed to the former; but the 
digestibility of the diiferent kinds of aliment can 
be best ascertained by the length of time before 
they leave the stomach; which has, on experi¬ 
ment, been found as follows: milk generally passes 
in a short space of time; fresh vegetables next; 
bread in about four hours; fish in five; and flesh 
meat not till six or seven. 

.Different kinds of pies and puddings are often 
added to this meal. Fruit-pies, and rare boiled 
puddings are pretty easy of digestion; and, there¬ 
fore, ma}^ w^eli supply the place of some animal 
food; but meat-pies', and baked puddings, to which 
butter or fat has been added, and exposed to con- 
sider:!.ble heat, are hardly admissible, or to be 
freely indulged in, immediately after a full meal 
of flesh, or other solid food, especially by vale¬ 
tudinarians or weakly people; as they are very 


no 


FOOD. 


oppressive and clogging to feeble stomachs^ and 
•not unfreqnently occasion the sick head-ach; which:, 
as well as some other complaints of the head^, is un» 
doubtedly owing to the state of the stomach, or to 
its contents. 

Eggs may constitute a part of dinner; but at 
whatever meal they are eaten, they should always 
be rare boiled or fried; or, which is better, gradu¬ 
ally coagulated in hot water from five to ten mi¬ 
nutes; for, if they are cooked hard, they become 
indigestible on many people’s stomachs. A por¬ 
tion of salt is thought to promote their solution in 
the stomach. 

There is, perhaps, no more healthy way to take 
^ggs, than to swallow them alone in a crude state, 
or beaten up with a little wine, inetheglin, or 
cider, in the morning fasting, or a little before 
dinner. Fresh eggs are more nourishing and di¬ 
gestible than stale, and ought always to he pre¬ 
ferred. 

Confections or sweetmeats make, sometimes, a 
concluding part of dinner; but very improperly ; 
for, by their sweet cloying nature, they pall the 
appetite, and impair the digestive faculty. 

It is, moreover, both proper and necessary for 
persons, who purpose. to make an addition of any 
of the last-mentioned articles to a full dinner of 
animal food, to remember, that they ought to stop 
with the latter long before the first sensation of 
satiety, in order to leave xoom for the former; so 
that, after all, they may rise from the table before 
their appetites are fully satisfied. 

I have not yet added milk as a part of diet at 
dinner; but, I think, it is very suitable, both for 
people of feeble constitutions, and sedentary lives, 
^uch as the inhabitants of cities and raanufactur' 


FOOD. 


Hi 

ing tovvns^ and for the more laborious in the heat 
of summer; when it has the effect of preventing 
and allaying thirsty and enables them to go through 
the greatest fatigue, equal or superior to animal 
food. 

Chocolate being of a nutritious and unctuous 
nature, makes a suitable substitute for much flesh 
at dinner. 

Tea and coffee, particularly the latter, are drunk, 
by some, immediately after dinner; though not 
commonly in this country. Either tea or coffee is, 
however, more innocent, and far preferable to the 
practice of drinking copiously of wine or spirits 
after dinner; which, if long continued, generally 
proves, sooner or later, injurious. 

Although I recommend simplicity in kind, and 
moderation in quantity, I am not wholly against a 
variety or change at different meals; but judge it 
favourable to health and longevity, not to live 
wholly, or longer than a few days at a time, on 
the same kind of food. However, it is not to be 
doubted, that more injure their constitutions, and 
suffer in their health, by a variety of high-seasoned 
meats and poignant sauces, than do by a simple, 
spare diet: indeed, so evidently so, that the new 
diseases, which may not improperly be said to have 
increased, within a century past, in a two-fold 
proportion to one dish, are, perhaps, in great 
measure, owing to the complicated cookery and 
luxurious living of the present day. 

The numerous instances of declining health, 
consumptions, and mortality, in some families, 
which have changed their circumstances and live¬ 
lihood, from a simple and industrious, to a more 
indolent and luxurious way of living, are sufficient 
and corroborating proofs, that an effeminate oi 


FOOD. 


oyerdelicate education and refined mode of life, 
are inimical to health and longevity. 

In this country, animal food, of one kind or 
another, constitutes the chief part of our nourish¬ 
ment. That there are some kinds of more easy, 
some of harder digestion than others, is well known 
to every body. Yet, I am inclined to think, there 
is scarcely any part of animal diet in use, that 
would not occasionally be made to agree, that is, 
to be digested without much difiicult}^ if we were 
full as anxious in respect to excess of quantity, as 
to the unsuitableness of the kind; least, this 
opinion corresponds with my own obsei vation and 
experience. If a person eats as much of ham, 
salted beef*, or bacon, as he ought to do of fish^ 
or of chicken, he may suffer by it. 

The article of puddings on an English table, 
is an afi'air of consequence. After a plentiful din¬ 
ner of animal food, rich sweet puddings, desserts, 
or even fruit, seem a very unnatural and improper 
addition; more especially, if the puddings are 
baked : for a little butter, long exposed to the heat 
of an oven, becomes, oftentimes, a cause of much 
suffering. 

Of vegetables it will be necessary to say 
something. The rule, in general, is, to appeal to 
what best agrees, in this respect, with each parti¬ 
cular constitution. I have only one short caution 
to give on this head: I'hose who think it necessary 
to pay any attention to their health at table, 
should take care, that the quantity of bread, and 
of meat, and of puddings, and of greens, should 
not compose each of them a meal, as if some 
were only thrown in to make weight; but carefully 
to observe, that the sum of all together does not 


FOOD. 


113 


exceed due bounds, or encroach upon the first 
feelings of satiety.” FothergilL 

It is an important rule of diet, to eat, if pos¬ 
sible, of one kind of meat only; or, at all events, 
to eat of that dish first which is the most palatable. 
The stomach is enabled to prepare the best chyle 
from simple substances, and will thence produce 
the most healthy fluids. And, if we follow the 
second part of this rule, we are in no danger of 
overloading the stomach. At a table dietetically 
arranged, we ought to begin with those dishes 
which are most difficult to be digested, and finish 
our meal with the most easy; because the former 
requires stronger digestive powers, and more bile 
and saliva, all of wliich become defective towards 
the end of a meal. 

A too frequent and excessive use of animal 
food disposes the fluids to putrefaction, and, I be¬ 
lieve, in some sanguine temperaments, communis 
cates to the mind a degree of ferocity. Even a 
child will refuse the breast, when its nurse has eaten 
too much animal food. Those who eat great quan¬ 
tities of meat, and little bread or vegetables, must 
necessarily acquire an oflensive breath. It appeal's, 
therefore, to be most suitable and conducive to 
health, to combine animal, with vegetable food, in 
due proportion. This cannot be minutely ascer¬ 
tained, with respect to every individual; but, in 
general, two-thirds, or three-fourths of vegetables, 
to one third or fourth part of meat, appeals to be 
the most proper. By this judicious mixture, we 
may avoid the diseases arising from a too copious 
use of either. 

When meat is fried, it is, in some degree, de¬ 
prived of its substance; but, if the fire be strong 
enough, a solid crust will soon be formed on its 
L2 


J14 


F0 0l;> 


siii Facc, by which tl)e evaporation will be checke.ch 
and the ilesh rendered mellow: the butter, or 
other fat, used to prevent its adhesion to the pan, 
gives it a burnt or empyreumatic taste, and renders 
its digestion on the stomach rather difficult. Melt¬ 
ed fat, or the drippings of baked and roasted meat, 
are equally, if not more, pernicious to the sto¬ 
mach than even stale butter, and both ought to be 
used only for greasing cart-wheels, and not for in¬ 
juring human organs. 

In summer, it is advisable to increase the pro¬ 
portion of vegetable food, and to make use of 
acids, such as vinegav, lemons, oranges, and the 
like; the blood being, in that season, much dis¬ 
posed to putrescency. He v/ho continually takes 
nourishing food, is liable to become fat and ple¬ 
thoric; while, on the contrary, the parsimonious, 
or the religious fanatics, from their abstinence, 
become thin and enfeebled: hence the medium, 
or a proper mixture of both vegetable and animal 
nutriment, seems to be most conducive to health. 
T cannot sufficiently recommend the following cau¬ 
tion to those who are frequently troubled with a 
craving appetite: the more food the stomach de¬ 
mands, the more sparingly it ought to be furnished 
with strongly nourishing substances, in order to 
avoid obesity or fatness; and mucli vegetable food 
is, in this case, required, to counteract that dis¬ 
position to putrescenc\q which the frequent eating 
of animal substances necessarily occasions. 

Much animal food is improper for those of a 
full habit and abundance of blood; for febrile pa¬ 
tients; and those wffio are disposed to hmmorrbages^ 
or losses of blood. It ought to be sparingly used 
in summer, and in hot climates. Persons, whose 
fluids already evince a fetid tendency, and who 


FOOD. 


1 Jo 

are reinitided of it by frequeut eruptions of the 
skill, or who iiave a disposition to corpulency, 
should abstain from a too copious use of animal 
food. 

Tlie flesh of old animals that have less mus¬ 
cular parts than the young ones of the same spe¬ 
cies, is indigestible; and we may lay it down as a 
general rule, that the more the flesh of an animal 
IS disposed to putrefaction, the more it is unwhole¬ 
some. 

Baking, also, forms a crust over it like roast¬ 
ing; but the fat, iiicrassated by heat, may occa¬ 
sion inconvenience, as it possesses an oily acrimo¬ 
ny, and is with difliculty digested. For the same 
reason, it is improper to eat the burnt crust of any 
meat, of whicii some persons are particularly fond; 
for it contains an empyreumatic oil, highly perni¬ 
cious, and altogether indigestible.’’ fVilikh. 

Animal food, although it gives strength, is 
yet of many liazards to the system, as it produces 
pletiiora and ail its consequences. As a stimulus 
to the stomach, and to the whole system, it ex¬ 
cites fever, urges the circulation, and promotes 
the perspiration. The system, however, b}^ the 
repetition of these stimuli, is soon worn out; and 
a man who lias early used the athletic diet, is ei¬ 
ther early carried off by inflammatory diseases, 
or, if he takes exercise suflicient to render that 
diet salutary, such an accumulation is made of pu¬ 
trescent fluids, as, in his after life, lays a founda¬ 
tion for the most inveterate chronic distempers. 

Those who are chiefly employed in mental re¬ 
searches, and not exposed to too much bodily 
labour, should always avoid an excess of animal 
food. 

With regard to solution, we take in the oils 


FOOD. 


lid 

of animal food; which, when tolerably pure, are 
the least putrescent part of it, and by diminishing 
the cohesion of the fibres, render them more solu¬ 
ble : on this last account, is the lean of fat meat 
more easily dissolved than the lean of other meat. 
But, when the meat is exposed to much heat, this 
oil is separated, leaving the solid parts less easily 
soluble, and becoming itself empyreimiatic, ran- 
cescent, and of difficult mixture in the stomach. 
Fried meats, for the reasons now given, and baked 
meats, for the same, as well as for the tenacity of 
the paste, are preparations which diminish the solu¬ 
bility of the food.” Eticyclop, Britann. 

The facility with which animal food is to be pro¬ 
cured in cities, in comparison with an uncivilized state 
of things, is another cause of the excess in which 
it is consumed. It is said excess, for there is but 
one voice on this subject. All know, that animal 
food is consumed by every Briton that can pur¬ 
chase it, in a degree at once, not only unnecessary 
to the sustenance, but actually destructive to the 
health of himself, and calamitous to the commu- 
nity. 

1. That it is unnecessary to his sustenance, 
is evident from the health and sU'ength enjoyed 
by those, who, from habit or necessity, do not 
partake of it in any proportionate degree. Ani¬ 
mal food is said to give strength; yet the most 
laborious class of the people eat of it the least. 
The fields, me ploughed by men who have sel¬ 
dom more than one meal of flesh in seven ; and, 
if it should be said, that these people and their 
families, are not those who undergo the hard¬ 
est labour, it will, at least be allowed, that 
they have greater calls on their strength, than 
ffiousands of those, who, in cities, consume yet 


FOOD. 


i 17 

more of tins food than any description of labour¬ 
ers that can be instanced. 

2 . With respect to the health of body and 
mind p to the lirst, aninial food is liable to prove 
destructive by inducing, besides other evils, ple¬ 
thora and all its consequences, while vegetable, 
without the utmost indolence, and sharpest ap¬ 
petite, never does ; and to the second, the fa¬ 
vourableness of the vcGretable is matter of gene- 
ral behet. 

It appears, says a writer on the present sub¬ 
ject, that delicacy of feeling, liveliness of ima¬ 
gination, quickness of apprehension, and acute¬ 
ness of judgment, more frequently accompany 
a weak state, of the body. It is true, indeed, th?it 
the same state is liable to timidity, fluctuation, 
and doubt; while the strong have that steadiness 
of judgment, and firmness of purpose, which are 
proper for the more active scenes of life.’ The 
most valuable state of the mind, however, ap¬ 
pears to reside in somewhat less firmness and vi¬ 
gour of body. Vegetable aliment, as never'over 
distending tlie vessels, or loading the system, ne¬ 
ver interrupts the stronger motions of the mind ; 
while the heat, fulness, and weight of animal food, 
are an enemy to its vigorous efibrts.” 

KendaTs JLncydIop, 

To conclude the general consideration of al¬ 
iments taken from quadrupeds, 1 must say a 
little of tlieir efieets, in general, on the human 
constitution. 

The first effect to be taken notice of, is their 
giving, in the same proportion taken in, more 
nourishment than any vegetable aliments do. The 
latter can afford, as we have said, the whole 
juices of an animal body, but certainly not in pro- 


118^ 


FOOD; 


portion to the quantity of them taken in ; whilst 
animal substances that can be entirely dissolved 
in the gastric juice, seem in proportion to that 
quantity to be entirely convertible, as the expres¬ 
sion is, in succuin et sanguinem. If, at the same 
time, they are in the smallest qirantity less perspir¬ 
ed, they must greatly increase the plethoric state 
of the bloodrvessels.. Animal food, therefore, is 
always ready todnduce this state ; and, in growing 
bodies, such food will always favour, and probably 
hasten, the growth : and although, in adults, ex¬ 
ercise and other means, by supporting the excre¬ 
tions, may prevent its having this effect, yet it 
will always liave a tendency to produce a plethora 
ad volumen. Moreover, as animal aliments, for 
the most part> in troduce a greater proportion of oi¬ 
ly matter, they are ready to occasion a larger secre¬ 
tion of oil into the adipose membrane, and there¬ 
by produce obesity; which, when considerable, 
must straiten the sanguiferous vessels, and conse¬ 
quently produce a plethora ad spatium. 

Some of our readers may, perhaps, judge, that 
a great part of what I have now said might have 
been left to be understood from the general doc¬ 
trine of plethora; but, both because I think that 
general doctrine has not been always well under¬ 
stood, and because when it was my business to ex¬ 
plain the effects of animal food, I thought it neces¬ 
sary to show that its effects are especially to give a 
nicer balance in several respects to the system, and 
thereby give a disposition to many diseases which 
might be avoided by a more temperate use of such 
food. It deserves, also, to be remarked, that 
though a proper measure of such aliment, with 
an exercise suitable to it, may render it long con¬ 
sistent with health, yet, as the constant use of it 


TOOD. 


119 


gives a nicer balance to the several parts of the 
system,, so every unusually large indulgence in it 
must be extremely dangerous. 

From these considerations,, the whole pheno¬ 
mena of digestion,, with respect to the system^ may 
be explained; and,, upon the whole,, that although 
animal food may be admissible by the human 
economy; and,, in certain circumstances of that, 
it may be proper and even necessary ; and, there¬ 
fore, that in many cases, it may be consistent with 
health; yet, that for the most part, a small por¬ 
tion of it only is necessary; that the very tempe¬ 
rate and sparing use of it is the surest means of 
preserving health, and obtaining long life; wdiilst 
the large use of it tends to the production of dis¬ 
eases, and to the aggravation of those that, from 
other causes, may incidentally come on. 

Before 1 leave the subject of animal food in 
general, I must touch a question that, 1 think, es¬ 
pecially relates to it ; and that is, whether sleeping 
after a full meal he suitable to the health of the 
human economy If we are to trust to the institu¬ 
tion of nature in the brute creation, and sup[)ose 
that their instincts are generally suited to the health 
of their economy, it would appeai:, that sleep 
after eating, is suited to favour their digestion: but 
whether they may be suited to the human econo¬ 
my, may be doubtful. The propensity to sleep 
after eating, is commonly the same in man as in 
brutes; and I am persuaded, that, in elderly per¬ 
sons, after a mid-day meal, it may, in some de¬ 
gree, be indulged in; but 1 am equally persuaded, 
from my observation and experience, that a full 
supper, immediately beforo going to bed, is gene¬ 
rally hurtful. Whether this happens in those per- 
sons especiallj", who take two meals of animal 
.food every day, or that a long sleep after such a 


rooDt 


I'iO 

meal;, during wiiich^ not only the aiiimal, lint 
also the natural and vital functions should have a 
groat deal of rest, is the cause of the bad conse¬ 
quences which often follotv, we cannot positively 
determine. 

‘hThe solution of this, and many such ques¬ 
tions, is much embarrassed by this, that errors 
in the conduct of what relates to health, when 
moderate in their degree, do not immediately show 
their elfects; and only after a long time, in conse¬ 
quence of frequent repetition, when, from our 
gross ignorance of the animal economy, we do 
not perceive and readily mistake the cause of the 
disease then arising.'’ Cullen. 

As our ease, health, and prospect of longevity, 
depend mueh on an easy and speedy digestion of 
our food, and on a due conversion and assimilation 
of the alimentary fluids into a mild and nutritious 
chyle, it behoves all, not only valetudinarians, but 
persons in perfect health, to avoid carefully all 
kinds of food, which are found, on experience, to 
•disagree with the proeess of digestion, or to retard 
it; and as studiously to shun excess or even satiety 
in quantity; for, b}-^ frequent and I'eiteratcd irre¬ 
gularities in either of those ways, the tone of the 
stomach becomes, sooner or later, debilitated and 
impaired; and tlie disorder, termed dyspepsia or 
indigestion, with all its disagreeable and distress¬ 
ing symptoms, is not unfrequently induced. And 
it is, moreover, by indulgence and gratification at 
this meal, that obesity or a corpulent habit, which, 
in a great degree, is notv considered as a disease, 
is generated and increased; wherefore, it may^ not 
be wholly improper to add a few observations or 
authorities on those morbid states of the body. 

“ Loss of appetite and indigestion sometimes 
arise from relaxation, or local imbecility of the sto- 


FOOD. 


1^11 

uiach; and none are more subject to such com- 
piaintSj than those who lead a sedentary, monastic 
life, and are intemperate in eating and drinking. 
Under such circumstances, the ingesta will be im¬ 
perfectly subdued, and the quantity taken into the 
body being more than equal to its consumption, a 
bloated anasarcous habit will ensue; particularly, 
as the natural excretions, for want of sufficient 
exercise, will be unduly performed: hence, the 
solids being daily more distended by the weight of 
the redundant fluids, the balance, which ought to 
be preserved between those tw’o powers, will be 
destroyed, and the body daily decline from its usu¬ 
al strength and vigour. 

When the stomach is repeatedly overcharged 
with full meals of animal food, it will lose its natu¬ 
ral tone by such frequent plenitude, and over-dis¬ 
tention; and its contents being indigested, the 
chyle obtained from it will be crude, impure, and 
insufficiently elaborated. The several secretions 
being, also, unduly performed, a foundation will 
be laid for chronic -diseases, especially the gout 
and scurvy, a dropsy, and hypochondriacal disor¬ 
ders; so that, one train of evils leads on to an¬ 
other; but, if they are not the eflect of a bad 
constitution, but of that indiscretion which tends 
to make it so, their cure is not to be sought for in 
the use of medicines, but in moderation and tem¬ 
perance. Let the patient take less food, and more 
exercise, and he will not want a physician. 

From whatever cause the stomach is deprived 
of its natural digestive faculty, it may be laid 
down as a general rule, that spare diet, and absti¬ 
nence from solid animal food, will aflbrd relief. 
By such means, the patient will avoid the incon¬ 
venience of sleepiness, palpitations of the licart 

M 


FOOi). 


VQO 

1 '41 

fluslungs in the face, with hectic fever, and other 
symptoms after eating, so oppressive to the weak 
and infirm. 

** The propriety of spare diet will appear more 
particularly necessary for such invalids, as they 
generally use less exercise, and perspire less than 
others. Their solids are also more lax, and, con¬ 
sequently, their digestion is weaker. 

If the patient, after eating, is much oppress¬ 
ed, sleepy, and affected with internal throbbing 
about the region of the heart; in a word^ if his 
body and mind are less vigorous and fit for action 
than before, he has then exceeded the proper quan¬ 
tity of food, and should take care to subtract from 
It at the next meal. 

The regimen of diet should not only be adapt¬ 
ed to particular ages and constitutions, but also to 
the nature of climate, and the degree of the pati¬ 
ent's exercise. When the quantity of food is too 
great, the vessels will be overloaded, and the body 
oppressed; if too small, it will waste and decline. 

Excess impairs the distinct exercise of the rea¬ 
soning faculties, and renders the perceptions of the 
mind dull and unfit for study, or deep meditation. 
In a word, whatever destroys the true balance 
between the solids and fluids, will produce sickness 
and diseases; so that, either too high or low living 
may injure health; but, of these extremes, the 
first is infinitely most common, and productive of 
danger; since the several instances of longevity 
are chiefly to be found among those who live on 
spare and simple diet. On the other hand, men 
who are intemperate, and fill their vessels to the 
extreme of bursting, frequently die, before their 
natural time, of apoplexies, or other violent dis¬ 
eases. 


The good eftects of temperance are acknow¬ 
ledged by all^ but duly regarded by few. 

As loss of appetite is usually attended with 
nausea, or loathing of food; so, indigestion is ac¬ 
companied with liatulenc}' and oppression, a bitter 
and disagreeable rancid taste in the mouth partak¬ 
ing of the food; sour eructation, with heartburn, 
dusliing in the face, and a slow hectic fever. 

‘‘ In those of weak appetite and bad digestion, 
who live chiefly on vegetable diet; a redundant 
acid at the stomach frequently prevails, with ex¬ 
cessive flatulence, cardialgia, or heartburn. To 
remedy this inconvenience, it will be proper for 
the patient to increase tire quantity of animal food, 
and to indulge moderately with things of a warm, 
alkalescent nature, such as horse radish, mustaiTl, 
&c. Instead of wine or raalt-liquors, pure water, 
with a small portion of brandy, without sugar, will 
be less apt to ferment and occasion wind. This 
regimen, however, should be pursued with caution; 
for a total abstinence from vegetables, and the too 
liberal use of animal food, w^puld dispose the fluids 
to a dangerous state of putrel’action; therefore, the 
most wholesome diet will be found in a due pro¬ 
portion of animal and vegetable substances, w^hich 
may be varied occasionally, according to the na¬ 
ture of circumstances. 

A fresh supply of food, before the last meal 
is evacuated from the stomach, or whilst any of its 
indigested sour leaven there remains, is highly per¬ 
nicious^ since it would soon excite fermentation in 
the next aliment, and convert it into its own acid 
nature, creating flatulence and heartburn. 

In such cases, it will be proper to w^ash the sto¬ 
mach with a weak infusion of mustard-seed; and, 
after giving a drachm or more of calcined magnesia 


124 


FOOD. 


as a Laxative^, to diminish the quantity of food, and 
to take it the oftener.” heake. 

Abstemiousness and excess are alike causes of 
indigestion. An over-distention of the stomach 
may, in some measure, injure its proper tone; and 
long fasting, by inducing a bad quality in the juices 
secerned into the stomach, renders it feeble, and 
generates wind. Hard drinking, and any of the 
causes of anorexy, also injure the indigestion. 
Tlie Colombo root is said to be particularly useful 
when the stomach is languid; the appetite defec¬ 
tive; digestion with difficulty carried on; or, when 
a nausea, with flatulency, attends. It is prescrib¬ 
ed in substance, with any grateful aromatic, or 
infused in Madeira wine, now and then interposing 
gentle doses of the tincture of rhubarb. A mix¬ 
ture of mustard-seed, with the Colombo root, is 
of admirable utility in complaints of this kind; 
particularly wliere acidity and flatulence prevail 
much in the primm vim. 

The fat is augmented by the use of much ani¬ 
mal food, or of any other that is oily and nourish¬ 
ing, provided the digestion be good; by the use of 
strong drink, especially malt-liquor; by much rest 
of body and mind; much sleep and inactivity; cas¬ 
tration; cold; repeated blood-letting; and, in ge¬ 
neral, by whatever diminishes tlie vital and animal 
powers. Much, however, depends on the consti¬ 
tution of the body itself; nor is it possible to fatten 
a human creature at pleasure, like an ox. A cer¬ 
tain degree of fatness, according to the age of 
the person, is a sign and effect of good health; 
but, when too great, it becomes a disease of itself, 
and the cause of other diseases. It may always 
be very certainly removed by strong exercise, littl<? 
sleep, and a spare and solid diet. 


FOOD. 


‘‘ Therefore, the principal use of rules must be 
with a view to prevention; and persons who are 
-disposed to corpulency, should take care in time 
to prevent it from becoming an absolute disease, 
by using a great deal of exercise; not indulging 
in sleep; and abridging their meals, especially 
that of supper. Salted meats are less fattening 
than such as are fresh; and drinking freely of cof¬ 
fee is recommended to corpulent people. 

But Dr. Fothei'gill observes, that a strict ad¬ 
herence to vegetable diet reduces exuberant fat 
moie certiiinly, than any other means that he 
knows; and gives two cases wherein this regimen 
succeeded remarkably well. The famous Dr. 
Cheyne brought himself down in this way, from 
a most unwieldly bulk, to a reasonable degree of 
weight; as he himself informs us. It deserves, 
however, to be remarked, that every practice for 
the removal or prevention of fatness, must be used 
wdth great caution and prudence: for not a few, 
anxious to prevent this affection, have had recourse 
to a regimen and to medicines, which have proved 
fatal. This has particularly arisen from the exces¬ 
sive use of acids, probably operating by entirely 
destroying the action of the chylopoeitic viscera.’^ 

Encijclop. Britann. 

Before I proceed to supper, it may be expected, 
that I should say something on the intermediate 
repast of tea, which has become almost as com¬ 
mon in the afternoon, as any other meal; parti¬ 
cularly in cities and towns, and increasingly so, 
ef late, in the country. Coffee is used by some^ 
instead of tea, though rarely, at this time. 

My opinion of the nature and effects of both 
tea and coffee, will be understood from what I 
M 2 


’1*26 


POOD. 


have already said, when treating of those articles 
under the head of breakfast. 

It is thought, by some, that tea assists and pro¬ 
motes digestion; and it is, therefore, sometimes 
used immediately or soon after dinner; but this is 
to be doubted more than can be imputed to any 
other diluent liquid or drink; a certain proportion 
of which is necessary to be added to our food, or 
rather intermixed with it, during mastication ; but 
too much drink, immediately after eating, rather 
retards than promotes digestion. 

Short-cakes, sweet-cakes, and different kinds of 
confections or sweet-meats, are often eaten at this 
repast; but most of them are unfavourable to an 
easy and speedy digestion; sometimes occasioning 
certain distressing symptoms, such as giddiness, 
heartburn, or head-ach; complaints usually and 
erroneously ascribed to other causes; but are the 
undoubted consequence of a mixture of heterogc- 
ueous substances, or of such as are of a hard, fer¬ 
mentative, or indigestible nature. Indeed, it is 
unreasonable to suppose, that, soon after eating a 
plentiful dinner, perhaps, of animal food, which 
is unquestionably several hours in digesting, an 
additional meal of substances, that rather pail than 
strengthen the digestive faculty, should be condu¬ 
cive to health. And it has sometimes been ob¬ 
served, that the food of dinner has been puked up 
late in the day, after such repasts. 

There is another repast, w hich, since the in¬ 
troduction of tea, is become a kind of necessary 
of life, and as much expected in every family, as 
the other usual meals themselves. It may not, 
perhaps, be wholly improper to suggest some con¬ 
siderations, respecting the use of tea and coffee 
after dinner. If we may judge from various cir- 


FOOD. 


nr 

eiimstances, from the time of- dinner, digestion is 
performing during the course of several hours. 
This operation requires labour and time in per¬ 
forming it, more or less, in proportion to the quan¬ 
tity of food taken in, and the powers of digestion. 
Much food taken into a weak stomach, requires a 
greater length of time, if it is digested at all, than 
where less has been received. 

Whilst that power, which we Call nature, is 
performing this task, a second meal is added, 
which, though of a lighter quality, adds to the 
quantity; and as it must be assimilated to the chyle 
now forming, is an additional burthen. To the 
robust, this may appear trifling: it is not felt; but 
to those, who may be said to be barely not vale¬ 
tudinary, it is a matter of some consequence. 

[t is thought, by many, tlrat tea assists diges¬ 
tion, by the additional stimulus of its quantity: it 
may excite the stomach and duodenum to pass the 
digesting food soonerthan they otherwise would have 
done, and sooner than the chyle is properly ela¬ 
borated : it may, perhaps, assist in carrying off* 
flatulency and the food together. This, at least, 
is my opinion of it; and 1 therefore think, the 
subjects of whom 1 have been speaking, ought to 
drink either tea or coffee with great moderation ; 
never to make it sweet, coffee especially; and to 
eat with it as seldom as possible. For, either 
- sweet-cakes, cakes of any kind, or butter in any 
proportion, rather retard digestion fhan promote 
it. The only proper time to drinki'either tea or 
coffee, or any such beverage, with safety or ad¬ 
vantage, is, to take it as soon after dinner as pos¬ 
sible, and instead of sitting down to the bottle. 

As on the due perfdrmance of digestion, de¬ 
pends much of our health, ease, and prospect €)f 


FOO®. 


longevity; so^ we,ought most studiously to avoid 
every thing that has a probable chance of inter¬ 
rupting it/^ Fothergill. 

Tea will induce a total change of constitution 
in the people of this country. Indeed;, it has 
gone a great way towards effecting that evil already. 
A debility, and consequent irritability of fibre, tire 
become so common, that not only women, but 
even men are affected with them. I'hat class of 
diseases, whiclq for want of a better name, we 
call nervous, has made almost a complete conquest 
of the one sex, and is making hasty strides to¬ 
wards vanquishing the other. 

Did women know the train of diseases induced 
by debility, and how disagreeable these diseases 
render them to the other sex, they would shun tea 
as the most deadly poison. No man can love a 
woman eaten up with vapours, or washed down 
with diseases arising from relaxation.” Buchan. 

Avoid, likewise, the excessive use of hot 
drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and tea, parti¬ 
cularly the last, in which the inhabitants of this 
country indulge,- more than in any other beverage. 
I scarcely dare venture to impeach; this favourite 
solace of our morning and evening hours; but, 
with all due deference to the happiness of the do¬ 
mestic circle, I consider it as my duty to denounce 
the too liberal use of this liquor, as not a little pre¬ 
judicial to the fairness and purity of the skin. 
Tea, taken hot, and in immoderate quantities, not 
only has a tendency to weaken the organs of diges¬ 
tion, but causes fluctuations and congestions in 
the humours of the face, arid frequently brings on 
a degree of debilitating perspiration. Let us con¬ 
ceive the stomach, inundated with a quantity of warm 
water just at the time of digestion: its concoctive 


rooj). 


m 

powers are literally drowned at the very instant 
when their assistance is most required; and^ instead 
< 7 f a pure balsamic chyle^ or alimentary fluid, it 
prepares crude and acrimonious humours, which 
can only generate an impure mass of blood, 
lierc, 1 cannot impress upon the attentive reader, 
in terms sufficiently strong, the following truth : 

That a healthy stomach only can produce healthy 
uncontaminated fluids; and, that two-thirds of 
what we call acrimony, or sharpness of humours 
in the system, proceed from a languid stomach 
and irregular digestion.’ If, tliereforc, the tea be 
made too weak, it will operate merely as warm 
water, and, as such, relax the coat and membranes 
of the stomach; if made too strong, it will give 
an unnatural heat to the body, prove a dangerous 
stimulus to the nerves, occasion palpitations of the 
heart, a general tremor, cramps, and a number of 
other complaints, which it is needless to enumerate. 
That these effects do not take place, during the 
first months or years of indulging ourselves in the 
intemperate use of hot strong tea, is no argument 
to controvert this position: they will, either sooner 
or later, unavoidably follow.” JVil/ich. 

As to the properties of tea, the}- are strangely 
controverted. The eastern nations are at least as 
much possessed with an idea of their extraordinary 
virtues, as the Europeans; but it is, perhaps, be¬ 
cause imagination bears as! great a sway there, as 
here. The immoderate use of it, however, has 
been very prejudicial to many, who have been 
thereby thrown into the diabetes. In Europe, in¬ 
fusions of tea-leaves have been extravagantly con¬ 
demned by some, and commended by others. 

From the contradictory opinions, even of me¬ 
dical writers, on this subject, the natural inference 


ISO 


FOOD. 


seems to be^ that they possess iieitlier iioxioiis nor 
beneficial powers in any very considerable degree.. 
They seeng when moderately used, to be,, for the 
most part,, innocent; in some cases^ they seem to 
be salutary; in some^ they are apparently preju¬ 
dicial. They dilute thick juices, and quench thirst 
more effectually, and pass off by the natural emunc- 
tories more freely, than more watery fluids: they 
refresh the spirits in heaviness and sleepiness, and 
seem to counteract the operation of inebriating 
liquors. From their manifest astringency, they 
have been supposed to strengthen and brace up the 
solids; but this effect experience does not counte¬ 
nance; as it is in disorders, and in constitutions, 
wherein corroborants are most serviceable, that 
the immoderate use of tea is peculiarly hurtful; in 
cold indolent habits, cachexies, chlorosis, drop¬ 
sies, and debilities of the nervous system. Lezc'is^s 
Matd'ia Medica. 

Dr. Lettsome has particularly inquired into tlie 
medical qualities and effects of tea; and having 
observed, that infusions of bohea and green tea 
contribute to preserve sweet some small pieces of 
beef immersed in them, he infers, that they pos¬ 
sess an antiseptic power, when applied to the dead 
animal fibre; and from their striking a purple co¬ 
lour with salt of iron, he deduces their astringent 
quality. From other experiments, he concludes, 
that the activity of tea chiefly resides in its fragrant 
volatile parts; and that, if the use of it be bene¬ 
ficial or injurious to any particular constitution, it 
becomes so principally by means of this odorous 
fragrant principle. He apprehends, that it is the 
safest course to use the infusion of the more ordi¬ 
nary kinds of this plant, which abound less with 
this fragrant principle. Or, the tea may be boiled 


Feou. 


131 


a few minutes, in order to dissipate this volatile 
part, which stands charged as the cause of those 
nervous affections, that are said to be produced, ot^ 
aggravated, by the use of this liquor. By this 
process may, likewise, be extracted more copiously 
the more fixed, bitter, and stomachic parts of this 
vegetable. 

Dr. Lettsome, who seems to be thoroughly 
persuaded of the occasional noxious effects of this 
volatile principle, in the finer teas especially, re¬ 
commends this last-mentioned mode of making 
tea, or the substitution of the extract, instead of 
the leaves; by the use of which, the nervous relax¬ 
ing effects, which follow the drinking of tea in the 
usual manner, would be, in great measure, avoid¬ 
ed. This extract has been imported hither from 
China, in the form of small cakes, not exceeding 
a quarter of an ounce each in weight; ten grains 
of which might suffice one person for breakfast: 
but it might easily be made here by simple decoc¬ 
tion and evaporation, by those who experience the 
noxious qualities of the volatile principles of thia 
plant. 

Tea is, perhaps, less injurious than many other 
infusions of herbs, which, besides a very slight 
aromatic ffavour, have very little if any, stypticity 
to prevent their relaxing, debilitating effects. So 
far, therefore, tea, if not too fine, if not drunk 
too hot, nor in too great quantities, is, perhaps, 
preferable to any other known vegetable infusion. 
And, if we^take into consideration, iikewise,its known 
enlivening energy, our attachment to it will ap¬ 
pear to be owing to its superiority in taste and 
effects to most other vegetables. See Dr. Lett- 
some^s Natural History of the Tea-tree, with Ob- 


FOOD, 


servations on the Medical qualities of Tea, and 
effects of Tea-drinking. 4to. 1772.” 

Hairs Encyclop. 

Instead, therefore, of the repast of tea, espe¬ 
cially to those who do not make it serve for supper, 
I would propose and recommend fruit to be eaten in 
the afternoon; which is, I think, the most proper 
time for that purpose. I do not mean, however, until 
some time after dinner, when that meal may be 
supposed to be mostly digested, and to have passed 
out of the stomach. 

This might letid me into a consideration of the 
nature, use, and preference, of the different kinds 
of fruit; but they are so numerous, that I shall 
not swell this treatise with an enumeration of them, 
but shall leave them to every person’s own choice 
and experience. And, I think, that a frequent 
and plentiful use of most kinds of ripe summer 
fruits is salutaiy, and not likely to be productive of 
the bad consequences, which constant and exces¬ 
sive eaters of animal food do often experience. 
It has, however, been observed, that certain kinds 
of acid or sour fruits, eaten raw, and not fully 
ripe, have, sometimes, occasioned colic pains, or 
other complaints in the alimentary canal; which, 
when observed to have that effect, should, there¬ 
fore, always be boiled or cooked: in which state, 
they may be safely eaten, by most people, with 
milk. 

It ought, also, to be observed, that most kinds 
of the drupacese or stone-fruits, are not so inno¬ 
cent, safe, and wholesome to be plentifully in¬ 
dulged in, as others: and, that the practice of 
swallowing the kernels or stones of fruit, though 
it may have been frequently done with impunity, 
is, by no means, commendable, nor always safe. 


FOOl>. 


13S 


as will appear from fiicts whicli I shall soon adduce. 
Peaches and apricots may, however, if thoroughly 
ripe and mellow, be freely and safely eaten by 
most persons; and are an exception to the above 
general remark. 

Unripe plums, sour pears, and stale nuts, ought 
to be used sparingly, or altogether refrained from; 
as their liberal use has often occasioned severe 
bowel ' complaints. The last should always be 
ground or pounded for old and toothless people, 
it is thought, by some, that salt or spice is an heal¬ 
thy addition to them. 

The mischiefs arising from the custom which 
many people have of swallowing the stones of 
plums and other fruit, are very great. The Philo¬ 
sophical Transactions give an account of two par¬ 
ticular instances; and one of a man, who, dying 
of an incurable colic, which had tormented him 
many years, and baffled the effects of medicine, 
was opened after death, and, in his bowels, was 
found a ball of an oval figure, being six inches in 
circumference, and weighing an ounce and an 
half: in the centre of which was fbund the stone 
of a common plum, surrounded with several coats 
of a hard and tough matter. 

These, and several other instances mentioned in 
the same place, sufficiently show the folly of that 
common opinion, that the stones of fruits are 
wholesome. For, though by nature, the guts are 
so defended by their proper mucus, that people 
very seldom suffer by things of this kind; yet, if 
we consider the various circumvolutions of the guts, 
their valves, and cells, and, at the same time, con¬ 
sider the hair of the skins of animals we feed on, 
the wool or down on herbs and fruit, and the fibres, 
vessels, and nerves of plants, which are not altered 
N 


134 


FOOD. 


by tlie stomach, it will appear a wonder, that in¬ 
stances of this sort of mischief are not much more 
common. Cherry-stones swallowed in great quan¬ 
tities, have occasioned the death of many people ; 
and there have been instances even of the seeds of 
strawberries, collecting into lumps in the guts, and 
causing violent disorders, which could not be cur¬ 
ed without great difficulty.’^ Enc^clop. Britarm. 

It belongs, also, to the business of diet to re¬ 
mark, .that persons do often take in unripe fruits 
m considerable quantity; and much has been said 
of the danger attending such a practice; which is 
certainly, in some measure, well founded. The 
firmer texture of these unripe fruits is more diffi¬ 
cultly dissolved; they remain, -therefore, long in 
the stomach unmixed with the other fluids; and 
they are, therefore, liable to acquire a greater 
degree of acidity, and to give all the disorders 
that may arise from that in too great abundance. 
There are, indeed, stomachs whose gastric liquor 
may obviate all this; but, certainly, in many cases, 
it may fail; and, therefore, the taking in of un¬ 
ripe fruits is always hazardous, and may be very 
hurtful. 

We can hardly omit here iJaying what may, 
perhaps, be understood from what has been said 
already, that, though fruits in their ripest, be, at 
the same time, in their most perfect state, they 
may, however, even in this state, be taken in too 
large quantity; and, in that case, being in over¬ 
proportion to the quantity or powers of the gastric 
liquor, they may go too far in an acescent fermen¬ 
tation, and give all the disorders that may arise 
from too acid fruits: and this will especially happen 
from fruits which have still, in their ripest state, a 
jai’ge proportion of acid in their composition. 


Food. 



For the sake of young studenls, we shall more 
particularly observe^ that the drupacea?, or stone- 
fruits, have commonly a larger proportion of acid 
with respect to their sugar, than some other fruits; 
and, therefore, in their recent state, they are com¬ 
monly and justly supposed to enter more readily 
into a noxious fermentation, and to produce those 
consequences of morbid acidity, colic, and diarr¬ 
hoea, which we have mentioned above. This is 
especially, and, perhaps, justly, supposed with 
respect to the cherry and plum kind; and, we be¬ 
lieve, may be equally supposed with respect to the 
peaches produced in the open air in Br itain; but, 
we ar e disposed to judge the apricot, in these re- 
s])ects, to be the safest of the drupaceous tribe. 

To conclude the subject of fruits, we shall 
consider a question, which has been frequently 
stated; and that is. Whether recent fr'uits are most 
safely and usefully taken before, or after a meal, 
or the use of other food ? The answer seems to 
be very obvious. In dyspeptic stomachs, or those 
which do not easily or powerfully overcome aces- 
cency, the taking in of acescents must be less safe 
before a meal, than after it. Irr the case of sto¬ 
machs powerful in the digestion of acescents, these 
may be commonly taken safely before meals, and, 
possibly, often with advantage, as they may ex¬ 
cite appetite and favour digestion. In the most 
part of stomachs, fruits, in moderate quantity, are 
safe after meals; and, when these have consisted 
of much animal food, the use of fruits is generally 
proper; though, in certain dyspeptics, the large 
use of them may not be always safe. 

The use of the dried fruits is certainly safer than 
that of the recent, before meals; but, even' the 
dried fruits cannot be taken, in that condition. 


13G 


POOD. 


with sufficient safety by the dyspeptic. As I am 
well persuaded of the nutritious quality of dried 
figs, 1 can hardly believe^ with Liniiseus_, Amaen. 
1. 136. that a large quantity of these can be taken 
before a meal without any diminution^ and rather 
with an increase of appetite. 

With respect to the use of fruits, there is still 
a question to be mentioned. In many countries, 
particularly in Britain, both recent, boiled, and 
preserved fruits, are often taken with milk: and 
this practice has been condemned by Spielmann; 
but, as I judge, without reason. In this country, 
the practice is almost universal, without our ob¬ 
serving any mischief arising from it. Such expe¬ 
rience is the most secure foundation for concluding, 
that the practice is not hurtful; but it may be fur¬ 
ther added, that the supposition of the conse¬ 
quences arising from it is not well founded. It is 
supposed, they may arise from the coagulation of 
the milk in the stomach; but this happens to, per¬ 
haps, every portion of milk taken down into it; 
and, therefore, certainly happens, for the most 
part, without any bad consequence. Further, how¬ 
ever, we judge the milk may be useful by involv¬ 
ing a portion of the acid, as it has been often 
found to be a cure for heartburn. If it happens, 
as commonly, that the oily part of milk is employ¬ 
ed, it is probable, that the coagulum will not be 
very firm, and, also, that the acid will be more 
properly and fully involved. As we are persuaded, 
that the animal fluid is always formed of acid, su¬ 
gar, and oil, so, I judge, the mixture of these in 
diet to be not only allowable, but very proper; 
and, therefore, that cream, with strawberries, and 
butter, with apple-pie, make a very proper diet.” 

Culkn, 


POOD. 


137 


Section 3. Supper, 

The food eaten at this meal^ is very various in? 
different countries, and with different people. 
That most commonly used here, is, either tea, 
coffee, chocolate, or milk, with the usual addi¬ 
tions; and, with some, different kinds of animal 
food; upon each of which, 1 have already given 
my opinion so fully, that it w ill not be necessary 
to repeat the same here; but shall only now show 
their particular use at this meal. 

Tea and coffee make light and easy suppers; 
and this is their most proper use in the afternoon. 
Some think, that they cause watchfulness; others, 
however, that they dispose to sleep; but I have 
not been able to observe any certain or general 
effect either way; unless drunk very strong, wheri 
the former sometimes takes place. 

Chocolate and milk are more heavy; but, when 
diluted, are very suitable for this meal. The dif¬ 
ferent preparations of maize, or indian corn, sucli 
as hasty-pudding and samp, are much used in the 
country for supper; and are, at all times, whole¬ 
some additions to milk. Rice is, also, a very suit¬ 
able and agreeable addition to milk, but not so 
commonly eaten in this country, as the above. 

Different kinds of animal food are used, by 
some, for supper; and this practice is more com¬ 
mon in cities than in country places; but not ad¬ 
visable, or to be encouraged; as much animal, or 
other solid food, that is heavy and hard of diges¬ 
tion, contributes to restlessness and unsound sleep. 

I have seen some, who said, they could not eat 
milk, and who would make a plentiful supper of 
animal food: which is to be imputed, in great 
measure^ to their not being accustomed to the for- 
jN -2 


J38 


FOOD. 


jnei*;, and to then* stomachs’ being in a diseased 
state; for I have rarely known instances of persons^ 
inured to milk from their infancy, who could not 
eat it thrice a-day. I have observed flesh, and 
other full suppers, to occasion fetid breath, foul 
mouths, and furred or rotten teeth. 

Some are in the practice of abstaining from sup¬ 
pers altogether, which is commendable and advisa¬ 
ble, especially for immoderate eaters; and may 
well be dispensed with by those who partake of the 
afternoon repast of tea; but it is better to leave part 
for supper, than to overeat at dinner. 

The constitutions of people are injured and worn 
more by gorged or overloaded stomachs, especially 
at night, than they are by laborious exercise. 

Apoplexy and palsy are not uncommon conse¬ 
quences of full meals and over-distended stomachs, 
after dinner and supper; especially when long fast¬ 
ing has preceded. 

1 have, heretofore, recommended early and re- 

f ular hours for eating the several meals; to wiiich, 
may now add, that supper ought to be taken two 
hours, or one, at least, before bed-time^. 


CHAPTER IV. 


SLEEP. 


Sleep is not much less necessary to health than 
food^ though not required so often. Night seems 
the most proper time for enjoying this refreshment; 
for, although a great part of* the day, as well as 
of the night, is devoted to it by some, yet the for¬ 
mer season rarely yields, that relief which the lattej: 
does. 

A want of sleep impairs the animal faculties, 
and enfeebles the whole system; and, when too 
much indulged, is followed with nearly the like 
effects; and it moreover gives a softness and idle¬ 
ness to all our actions: which shows, that there is 
a certain proportion of it necessary to the health 
and vigour of both body and mind; but what this 
proportion is, may be difficult to ascertain, as it is 
practised so variously in different countries, and by 
different people; some nations or individuals spend¬ 
ing almost half of their time that way. However, 
in this, as in other things, I know no better way to 
arrive at the truth, tiian by observation and ex- 


140 


SLEEP. 


perience; whiclo according to, the best of 
are, that about seven, or at most, eight hours in 
twenty-iour, are sufficient for sleep. It is well 
knovvn, that,, not only certain constitutions, but 
some periods of life, require more sleep than 
others: these are, infancy and old age; but there 
is reason to apprehend, that it may be indulged to. 
excess in both of these states. 

It IS observed, that acute pain, brisk exercise, 
cold, and heat; and, in short, whatever occasions 
a violent excitement or exhaustion of the powers- 
of the s^^stem, induce or require sleep; and, I 
think, that more is necessary in warm, than in cold 
weather; though I do not mean to recommend, 
hut to discourage the practice of Ijdng a-bed late; 
and I would prefer going to rest early, and rising 
about with the sun,, even in. the shortest nights; 
and, for those, whose constitutions, inclinations, 
or exercise requires more sleep, to take a nap at 
mid-day, not exceeding, however, an half, three 
quarters, or, at most, an hour; for longer reposes 
occasion heaviness and dulness, both of body and 
mind; and have been frequently followed by apo¬ 
plectic fits, especially after a plentiful meal of ani¬ 
mal food, the use of strong liquors, or a , violent fit 
of passion. 

It is judged most.conducive to quiet sleep, and 
to healtn, to lie with the head highest, and rather 
on the right side, especially in the evening, in or¬ 
der that the aliment may more easily pass the pylo¬ 
rus, or lower orifice of the stomach, which is on 
that side. 

Hard beds are moreffiealthy than soft; and hair 
mattresses are greatly preferable to feather-beds, 
especially in hot weather; when they are, likewise, 
much more comfortable; and instances are not 


SLEEP. 


141 


wanting of persons of certain constitutions and 
complaints, who can scarcely sleep on feathers^ 
A sacking bottom, without either bed or mattress^ 
is very cool and tolerable in hot weather; and will 
be found most comfortable for persons in fevers^ 
and for those troubled with hot and restless nights. 
It is well to lie under covering as thin as is com* 
fortable; though mattresses require rather more 
than feather-beds. The custom of sleeping under 
down or feather covers, although very comfortable 
and practfsed by many, is, by no means> to be 
preferred as most healthful. I need scarcely re¬ 
mark, that, if feather-beds are used, they ought 
to be well aired every day. 

It is judged not so conducive to health to sleep 
constantly in a close room where fire is kept, unless 
the apartment be damp, and the fire become neces¬ 
sary to dry it, and the furniture. It is imprudent 
to sleep with the head under the bed clothes, (as is 
the practice of some,) even in the coldest wea¬ 
ther^ It is, also, unhealthy for children and young 
persons to sleep long, or constantly, in the same 
beds or rooms with people who are unw^ell, and 
who are far advanced in life. It is, likewise, most 
agreeable and healthy for persons who live in cities, 
to retire out of town to sleep, especially in the 
summer season, where their rest will be found 
more refreshing than in crowded impure places. 

A hard bed gives a pressure, support, and firm¬ 
ness to the muscles; and, thereby, enables the 
body to bear exercise and hardships better; and it 
is very uncommon to see persons, accustomed to 
such lodging, complaining of rheumatic, or other 
pains of the loins. 

The practice of sitting up till past mid-night, 
and of lying a-bed late, converting, as it were, 


142 


SLEEP. 


night into day, and tlie reverse, cannot be suffici¬ 
ently discouraged and reprehended, although it is 
much indulged, as if sleep were more refreshing, 
in the day-time, than in the night; which is di¬ 
rectly the reverse. : 

Too much pains cannot be taken to avoid lodg-* 
ing in damp houses, beds, and clothing;, and not 
to sleep with open windows admitting a current of 
air on the bed, especially after midsummer. And_^ 
unless dampness render it necessary, the constant 
practice of warming the bed is not advisable, which* 
may be better, dispensed with, if flannel sheets be 
used; , wffiich, as. v/ell as flannel othenvise next to 
the skin, I, by ail means, recommend and prefer>: 
on aecourit of both health and comfort. 

It is, also, very imprudent to sleep on the bare 
ground, eithet by. day or night; especially in the 
hot sunshine; for, by it, phrensies, apoplexies,. 
Scc. have been,suddenly induced.. 

It is doubted, whether mental or bodily labour 
requires most sleep.* The most approved authori¬ 
ties, which my observation induces me to join, are 
in favour of the former part of the question; al¬ 
though, I think, it may be too much indulged by 
persons employed in deep mental researches. 

It is also questioned, wffiich is the most suitable 
time to take the nap about mid-day, before or after 
dinner? I see no impropriety in indulging it after 
that meal, provided it be eaten in moderation, and 
the repose be confined to tlie time above limited. 

A sitting or reclining, is preferable to an horizon¬ 
tal posture for this purpose; and is much safer, 
particularly for persons of apoplectic habits, and 
those who have had fits of that disorder. 

It is better, hovvever, for irnmoderate eaters, and ^ 
persons wdio have incautiously eaten a full meal of 


SLEEP. 


143 

knimalj or other solid indigestible food;, to walk 
about a little; to use some of the means aheadj 
mentioned in such cases; and not to recline or 
sleep too soon afterwards; as^ by inattention to 
this^ apoplexies and the like disorders have some¬ 
times followed. 

In order to enjoy sound, sweet, and refreshing 
^leep, as well as for the preservation of health in 
general, it is best to eat light suppers, and to avoid 
diet of an indigestible nature, to shun the conse¬ 
quence lately mentioned. 

All persons, on retiring to rest, especially those 
of sanguine temperamenis, short necks, and of 
apoplectic habits, should loosen their shirt collars, 
if tight, and avoid ail unnecessary bandages and 
coverings about the neck and head.. Such should, 
also, be careful, at all times, both in standing and 
lying, particularly when at work, and the head 
hanging down, to avoid a contorted position of 
the neck; for, bv this means, the diameter of the 
vessels is lessened, and the reHuent blood is pre¬ 
vented from returning from the head; and instan¬ 
ces have occurred of apoplectic tits being the con¬ 
sequence. 

To Lender our sleep natural, easy, and composed, 
no noise nor lights should be suffered in bed-rooms, 
except when necessity requires it; for our sleep is 
not only rendered less quiet and sound where they 
are allowed, but the burning of candles, and lamps 
in particular, as well as respiration, tends greatly 
to contaminate the contained air of such places: 
When a light is necessarily kept in the night, it 
.may be placed on the hearth. 

Large spacious apartments should always be 
chosen for lodging-rooms, especially in cities, 
where the air is much vitiated,; and they should bo 


144 


SLEEP. 


frequently aired by raising tlie windows; which. 
However, should not be left far open whilst persons 
are asleep in them. Persons sleeping in small, 
confined rooms, will find an advantage in avoiding 
all close curtains about their beds. 

With regard to sleep. Dr. Gregory observes, 
that its use is sufficiently apparent from the effects 
which it produces in the body. It restores the 
powers both of mind and body when exhausted by 
exercise, giving vigour to the one, and restoring 
its wonted alacrity to the other. It renders the 
muscles again active and moveable, after they have 
become wearied, rigid, painful, and trembling by 
hard labour. It moderates the quickness of the 
pulse, which usually increases at night, and brings 
it back to its morning standard. It seems, also, 
to assist the digestion of the aliment; lessens both 
the secretions and excretions; and renders the 
fluids thicker than otherwise they would be, espe¬ 
cially in a body endowed with little sensibility or 
mobility. Hence, sleep is not only useful, but 
absolutely necessary for preserving life and health; 
and is a most excellent remedy, both for alleviating 
and totally removing, a great many diseases. 

Want of sleep is hurtful in a great many dif¬ 
ferent ways, especially to the nervous system. It 
renders the organs of sense, both external and in¬ 
ternal, as well as those of every kind of motion, 
unfit for performing their offices. Hence, the 
sensations are either abedished, or become imper¬ 
fect, or depraved; and hence imbecility of mind, 
defect of memory, a kind of delirium, mania it¬ 
self, pain of the head, weakness of the joints, an 
imperfect or inordinate action of the vital organs; 
quickness of pulse, heat,r fever, depraved cliges- 


SLEEP. 


145 


tion, atrophy, leanness, and an increase of pertur¬ 
bation of the secretions and excretions. 

Sleep may be prevented, both in healthy and 
sick people, from various causes; such as strong 
light, noise, pain, anger, joy, grief^ fear, anxie¬ 
ty, hunger, thirst, vehement desire, motion of the 
body, memory, imagination, intense thought, 6ic. 
On the other hand, sleep is brought on by a slight 
impression on the organs of sense,, or none at ail; 
by the humming of bees; the noise of falling wa¬ 
ter; cold and insipid discourse; or, lastly, by such 
an exercise of the memory, as is neither too labo¬ 
rious nor disturbing to the mind. Too great an 
impulse of the blood towards the head, such as 
often happens in fevers, prevents sleep; but a free 
and equal distribution of the blood through the 
whole body, especially the extreme parts, fre¬ 
quently brings it on. Whatever weakens the body, 
also, favours sleep; hence, various kinds of eva¬ 
cuations, the warm bath, fomentations, sometimes 
heat itself, are useful for promoting it. It, also, 
conies on easily after taking food, or indulging 
venery; the violent sensation being then quieted, 
and the body itself somewhat weakened. Cold 
produces a deep sleep of long continuance, not 
easily disturbed, and often terminating in death. 
Lastly, there are certain substances which, when 
applied to the body, not only do not excite the 
nervous system, but plainly lay us asleep, and 
render us unfit for sensation: of this kind, are 
those called narcotics, as opium, and the like; 
among which, also, we may reckon wine taken in 
too great quantity. Lastly, watching itself is 
often the cause of sleep; because, while a man is 
aw^ake, he always, more or less, exercises the or¬ 
gans of his body, by which the nervous influence 


145 


SLEEP. 


is diinlnisbed; and thus^ the more violently the 
body is exercised, in the same proportion, is a 
person under a necessity of sleeping. 

Sleep is deficient in many diseases; for there 
are few which do not excite pain, anxiety, or un¬ 
easiness, sufficient to prevent the approach of sleep, 
or to disturb it. Fevers generally cause those who 
labour under them to sleep ill; as well, on account 
of sthe uneasiness which accompanies this kind of 
diseases, as by reason of the impetus of the blood 
towards the head being frequently increased; and, 
likewise, from the stomach being disordered, load¬ 
ed with meat, or distended with drink. 

Hence, also, we see the reason wh}^ many 
hypochondriac and hysteric patients sleep so ill; 
because, they have a bad digestion, and their sto¬ 
machs are disposed to receive many, though fre¬ 
quently slight disorders; the slightest of whieh, 
however, is sufficient to deprive the patient of rest, 
provided the body be already irritable, and endowed 
with too great a share of mobility^ 

Want of sleep will hurt in diseases, as well 
as in health; and for the same reason; but in a 
greater degree, and more quickly in the former, 
than in the latter; and is, therefore, not only a 
very troublesome symptom of itself, but often pro¬ 
duces other very dangerous ones. 

Too much sleep, on the other hand, produces 
many mischiefs, rendering the whole body weak, 
torpid, and lazy; and it even almost takes away the 
judgment. It, also, disturbs the circulation, and 
diminishes most of the secretions and excretions. 
Hence, plethora, fatness, flaccidity, and an ina¬ 
bility for the common offices of life. The causes 
of this excess are, either the usual causes of sleep 
above mentioned^ increased beyond measure, or 


SLEEP. 


‘feonie fault in the brain, or a compression of it bj 
an extravasation of the humours; or, sometimes, 
as it would seem, from great debility produced 
from an unusual cause, as in those who are reco¬ 
vering from typhus fevers and other diseases. In 
these examples, however, this excess of sleep is, 
by no means, hurtful; nor even, perhaps, in those 
cases where an excess of grief continued for a long 
time, or a great fright, has produced a surprising, 
and unexpected somnolency. Lastly, many peo¬ 
ple have accustomed themselves, and that not 
without a great deal of hurt to their constitutions,, 
to sleep too much. Nor are there examples want¬ 
ing of some, who have passed whole days, and 
even months, in sleep almost uninterrupted.’’ 

Encyclop. Britann. 

Persons troubled with hypochondriasis and 
hysterics, do themselves much injury by sleeping 
too long, especially in the morning, when the 
body is enfeebled by its continuance in a heated 
and unwholesome atmosphere. To such indivi¬ 
duals it is, also, dangerous to remain, for a con¬ 
siderable length of time, in a state of inactivity.^ 
Indeed, excessive sleeping is detrimental to the 
muscular powers of every person; to the phlegma-> 
tic especially, whose fluids will thns soon become 
vitiated; and sanguine temperaments thence ac¬ 
quire a superabundance of blood. The melan¬ 
choly, whose blood circulates slowly, must sufler 
inconveniences in their secretions and excretions 
by this indulgence; and we generally find, that 
long sleepers are aflected with costiveness and ob¬ 
structions. Early rising, and timely going to bed, 
if persevered in, will render them more healthy 
and vigorous. 

The proper duration of sleep, in youth and 


i4S 


SLEEP, 


adults, is usually settled at six or seven hours; in 
children, and the aged, from eight to nine hours. 
Yet the individual deviations in the constitution of 
the body, and its various wants, scarcely admit of 
any precise rules. The more bodily weakness we 
feel, the more we may indulge in sleep, provided 
it be refreshing. If people in a state of health, 
are perfectly cheerful in mind and body, when 
they first awake, this is the most certain criterion 
that they have slept sufficiently. 

VVe should, however, be on our guard, not 
to confound the natural wants of the body with a 
blameable custom. For most persons habitually 
sleep too much, or remain longer in bed than they 
ought. The origin of this destructive custom un¬ 
doubtedly arises in infancy, when children are per¬ 
mitted to sleep on very soft and warm beds, and 
encouraged to lie longer than is proper, from a 
mistaken notion, that they cannot sleep too much. 
By such injudicious treatment, they cannot attain 
a solid texture of body; and a foundation is laid 
for many subsequent diseases. The rickets, so very 
common in many families, in the present age, 
often originate in such indulgences, since the ge¬ 
neral relaxation of the body, and the tendency to 
profuse perspiration, are thus, in an extraordinary 
degree, promoted. 

“ In great disquietude of mind, and after vio¬ 
lent passions, sleep is the more necessary, as these 
agitate and exhaust the frame more than the most 
fatiguing bodily labour. Hence, many persons 
never sleep so sound as when they are afflicted with 
grief and sorrow. A fretful and peevish temper, 
as well as a fit of the hypochondriasis, cannot be 
more effectually relieved than by a short sleep. 

As mental labours exhaust our strength more 


SLEEP. 


14^ 


than those of the body, literary men who employ 
themselves in long and profound reflections, re¬ 
quire more sleep than others. 

He who digests easily, stands less in need of 
sleep than others. After taking aliment difticuit of 
digestion, nature herself invites to the enjoyment 
of rest, and to sleep in proportion to the time 
which is required for the concoction and assimila¬ 
tion of the food. Excessive evacuations, of what¬ 
ever kind, as well as intoxication by strong liquors, 
render additional sleep necessary. In winter and 
summer, we require somewhat more time for sleep 
than in spring and autumn; because the vital spirits 
are less exhausted in the latter seasons, and the 
mass of the blood circulates more uniforml}', than 
in the cold of winter, or heat of summer, when 
it is either too much retarded Or accelerated. 

Debilitated persons injure themselves much by 
sleeping in the. day-time, against the order of na¬ 
ture; and keeping awake the greater part of the 
night. 

Day-light is best adapted to active employ¬ 
ments; and the gloom and stillness of night, to 
repose. Debilitated young people, especially, 
should not sleep too much, though their weakness 
induce them to repose; for, the more they indulge 
in it, the greater will be their subsequent languor 
and relaxation. 

Persons who are fond of sleeping at any time 
of the day, are usually more indolent and heavy . 
after it than before. Asleep after dinner ought 
never to exceed one hour; and it is also much bet¬ 
ter sitting, than lying horizontally; for,.;in the 
latter case, we are more subject to fluctuations of 
the blood tow^ai'ds the head, and, consequently, to 
bead-ach. 


Os 


150 


SLEEP. 


Some dietetical observers allege^ that it is bet¬ 
ter to lie, in the evening, on the right, and, in 
the morning, on the left side; tliat, in the evening, 
the aliment may more readily leave the stomach, 
and that, afterwards, this organ may be better 
warmed by the liver. 

In the evening, we should eat light food on!}', 
and that sparingly; wait for its digestion; and, 
consequently, not to retire to rest till two or three 
hours after supper. 

The feather-beds in which we usually sleep, 
are certainly hurtful in many diseases, some of 
which they may even produce; for they absorb or 
imbibe the perspired vapours of the body, without 
our being able to cleanse them of these impurities; 
which are again re-absorbed and re-conducted 
through the pores, to the great injury of heldth. 
For this reason, mattresses, filled with horee-hair, 
or moss, are, in every respect, preferable. 

Further, it is highly improper to sleep in beds 
overloaded with clothes. They heat the blood 
more than is consistent with health, and produce 
an immoderate and enervating j)erspiration, which 
still more weakens the organs already relaxed by 
sleep. 

The old custom of warming the bed, also, 
deserves to be condemned; as it has a direct 
tendency to produce weakness and debility. This 
will be still more dangerous, if done with a 
charcoal fire, which, by its poisonous vapours, 
may prove very pernicious. A person who is 
accustomed to sleep in a cold bed, will not feel 
much inconvenience in the severest weather; for, 
after being a short time in bed, the natural 
warmth of the body will overcome it: as, on the 


SLEEP. 


151 


contrary, those who sleep in a warm bed will be 
the more liable to feel cold, as soon as this artifi¬ 
cial heat is dissipated.'’ Wiilich. 


CHAPTER V, 


EXERCISE. 



A CERTAIN proportion of exercise is not much 
less essential to a healthy or vigorous constitution, 
than drink, food, and sleep; for we see, that peo¬ 
ple, whose inclination, situation, or employment 
does not admit of exercise, soon become pale, 
feeble, and disordered. 

Exercise promotes the circulation of the blood, 
assists digestion, and encourages perspiration; all 
of which are, in a certain degree, necessary to a 
hale constitution. 

It may be divided into two species> active and 
passive: of the former kind, are walking, running, 
leaping, swimming, and riding on horseback; of 
the latter, are sailing, swinging, friction, riding 
in carriages, &c. 

The bounds which I have already prescribed to- 
myself, will not permit me to enter minutely into 
a consideration of the different kinds or modes of 
exercise, which, like drink and food, must be left,, 
in great measure, to every person’s own choice and 
experience, carefully observing the effects w^hich 
fhey are found to have on the constitution. 


EXERCISE. 


15S 


There is, however, one species of passive exer¬ 
cise which deserves to be particularly mentioned 
and recommended; more especially, as it often 
becomes necessary, and is peculiarly adapted for 
the aged and infirm, and such as cannot partake 
of any of the active kinds: I mean friction; which, 
performed either with the naked hands, flannels, 
or flesh brushes, may not only be of essential ser¬ 
vice to those of that description, but, by promot¬ 
ing perspiration and the circulation of the blood, 
it often becomes useful in arthritic, rheumatic, and 
paralytic disorders. This appears to have been 
in much more common use, both as a preventive 
and remedy, among the ancients than moderns; 
the former of whom called it chafing. 

The effects of the want of exercise are more 
apparent and destructive, when conjoined with 
high living and strong drink: hence, the gout and 
many other diseases are generated: indeed, so evi¬ 
dently so, that it is now become an almost esta¬ 
blished fact, that, that disorder will never appear, 
where sufficient exercise, with abstinence from ani¬ 
mal food and wine, is practised. 

It is a fact wliich long ex[>erience has taught, 
that idleness and luxury create more diseases than 
labour and industry; which shows, that an indo¬ 
lent and inactive, as well as an over-delicate and 
refined mode of life, is inimical to health and lon¬ 
gevity: hence, the greater number of disorders in 
cities, where the inhabitants live high, and use 
hut little exercise, than in country places, where 
they labour more, and live more sparingly. 

A due medium ought, however, to be observed 
in exercise, as well as in the other nonnaturals; 
for, although so necessary for preserving health, 
it should be used gradually and discreetly, especi- 


154 


EXERCiaE. 


illy by persons unaccustomed to it; and^ if it be 
continued to overfatigue, it weakens, more than it 
strengthens the body. Laborious exercise should 
be carefully avoided, both on a full, and an emp¬ 
ty stomach. 

After violent exercise, wdiile the pores of the 
skin are open, the body should not be suffered to 
cool suddenly, but be kept, for some time, in 
nearly the same temperature, and in gentle mo¬ 
tion. At such times, we should carefully avoid 
sitting in a current of fresh air or wind. 

i have heretofore remarked, that excessive drink¬ 
ing and eating have destroyed many; and, I also 
believe, that many suffer greatly in their health for 
Want of sufticient exercise, particularly in cities 
and towns, where people live luxuriously, and ex¬ 
ercise but little; 

And there is no reiison to doubt, that a large 
proportion of the children born in such places, 
not only suffer materially in their health, but may 
be said to fall victims in their infancy, for want of 
pure air and sufficient exercise; and-, that, if they 
should live to survive that uncertain period, they 
may be said to have laid the foundation for feeble 
and enervated constitutions in after life: which 
ought to be a sufficient inducement for parents and 
nurses in those situations, who have the lives and 
welfare of their offspring and charge at heart, to 
consider whether they furnish them with a due 
proportion of those essential requisites for their 
existence and future health. 

It is w'ell known, that certain occupations, or 
employments, are unfavourable to health, and pro¬ 
ductive of particular diseases : for instance; mi¬ 
ners, painters, glaziers, potters, and others who 
work in lead, , or inhale its vapours, are subject to 


EXERCISE. 


I d'O 

the palsy and colic ; millers^ flaxclressers, stone¬ 
cutters, and glass-grinders, to pulmonary consump¬ 
tion : to which last complaint, shoemakers, tailors, 
and others of confined and sedentary employ¬ 
ments, are also subject. And it is to be feared, 
that the new and increasing business of manufac¬ 
turing and working in gypsum, will, probably, 
add victims to the last-mentioned fatal disorder. 
So, that among all, agriculture is, perhaps, the 
most favourable to health and longevity, it having 
few or no diseases peculiar to itself^ except such 
as may be imputed to exposure, and overdoing; 
which, however, rarely have so much effect in pro¬ 
ducing diseases, as we might reasonably expect. 
This, is a confirmation, that exercise, in a con¬ 
siderable degree, is not much less necessary to the 
preservation of health, than air, drink, food, &c. 

It has been a common practice to put children 
of weakly constitutions to sedentary occupations; 
and, such as are more robust, to some active or la¬ 
borious business without doors; but observation 
and experience lead to a different conclusion ; and 
to prefer putting those of the former description, to 
the latter kind of employments; and, those of 
the latter, to the former : for, no sooner do we see 
one taken from some active or laborious occupa¬ 
tion in the open air, and put to another of a more 
confined nature within doors, than he immediately 
becomes pale, meagre, and debilitated ; and, not 
unfrequently, of an emaciated or declining habit: 
and, on the contrary, it is not uncommon for such 
as change from a confined to a more active employ¬ 
ment without doors, to acquire more hale and vi¬ 
gorous constitutions. And it is accordingly observ¬ 
ed, that the confined and sedentary furnish the 
largest number of phthisical or consumptive disor- 


156 


EXERCISE. 


ders, and fill the greatest part of tlie bills of mor¬ 
tality. 

I would, therefore, highly recommend it to the 
inhabitants of manufacturing towns, and to all 
whose inclination or necessity induces them to fol¬ 
low sedentary and confined occupations, to desist 
frequently from them, and to spend awhile in the 
open air, using, at the same time, some kind of 
exercise, such as walking, riding, sawing, cutting, 
gardening, or the like ; which will both render 
their confinement and labour less irksome, and tend 
greatly .to the preservation of their health : audit 
is an object of great importance, and highly com¬ 
mendable, for all who are thus circumstanced, to 
provide themselves with land or gardens, on w Inch 
they may often employ themselves, not onfy in¬ 
nocently,‘but usefully; and, in a manner, not a 
little conducive to their health. 

A change from a sedentary situation is no less 
advisable and necessary for all persons of studious 
lives ; who, for w^ant of sufficient activity and ex¬ 
ercise, often debilitate their constitutions, and lay 
the foundation of dyspepsia or indigestion, and 
other disorders that imbitter and shorten human 
life. Hence, arises debility, which is not only the 
source of numerous diseases, but may, in the pre¬ 
sent day, almost be called a disease of itself. 

Exercise is not only a preventive, but a cure for 
many diseases, especially such as are occasioned 
by high and luxurious living, indolence, and a ci¬ 
ty life. 

The great number of glandular obstructions, and 
nervous and hypochondriac complaints that occur 
in practice, particularly in cities, are owing, in 
great measure, to impure air; and the want of ex¬ 
ercise; and might be easily prevented or cured. 


EXERCISE. 


157 


Til their beginning, by a change of air and suf¬ 
ficient exercise^ joined with a suitable diet and 
regimen. 

Exercise of some kind is^ also^, of great advan¬ 
tage to old people, particularly to those who have 
been accustomed to activity and labour in their 
former years. Those so far advanced, or infirm, 
as to be unable to partake of any other kinds, may 
have recourse to frictions. 

Violent exertions, and great feats of activity are, 
however, at all times, to be carefully avoided ; as 
they have been productive of certain disorders, 
such as haemorrhages and ruptures. 

Exercise, moreover, by increasing the circula¬ 
tion of the blood, promotes an equable warmth of 
the whole body, and obviates the sensation and 
bad effects of cold; and, with warm clothing, is 
a safer and better means of guarding against the 
severity and transitions of the weather than much 
fire and heated rooms. 

Women require less active exercise than men : 
hence, Rousseau properly remarked, that women 
only should follow those mechanical arts which 
require a sedentary life. 

Exercise increases the circulation of the blood, 
attenuates and divides the fluids, and promotes a re¬ 
gular perspiration; as well as a due secretion, of 
all the humours ; for it accelerates the animal spi 
rits, and facilitates their distribution into all the 
fibres of the body, strengthens the parts, creates 
an appetite, and helps digestion. Whence it ar¬ 
ises, that those who accustom themselves to exer¬ 
cise, are generally very robust, and seldom sub¬ 
ject to diseases. But it is to be observed, that a 
weak man should not ride with a full stomach, but 
either before dinner, or after the digestion is near 
P 


158 


EXERCISE. 


finished; for, when the stomacli is distended, weat 
people do not bear these concussions of the horse 
without difficulty; but, when the primse vise are 
near empty, the remaining foeces are discharged by 
this concussion. Sailing in a ship is, also, an ex¬ 
ercise of great use to weak people. 

Jt is allowed, on all hands, that alternate mo¬ 
tion and rest, and sleep and watching, are necessa¬ 
ry conditions to health and longevity; and that 
they ought to be adapted to age, temperament, 
constitution, temperature of the climate, &c ; but 
the errors which mankind daily commit in these 
respects, become a fruitful source of diseases. 
While some are bloated and relaxed with ease and 
indolence, others are emaciated and become rigid 
through hard labour, watching, and fatigue. 

The plain diet and invigorating employments 
of a country life, are acknowledged, on all hands, 
to be highly conducive to health and longevity, 
■while the luxury and refinements of large cities 
are allowed to be equally destructive to the human 
species 4 and this consideration alone, perhaps, 
more than counterbalances all the boasted privi¬ 
leges of superior elegance and civilization, result¬ 
ing from a city life. 

Trom the light which history affords us, there 
is great reason to believe, tliat longevity is, in 
great measure, hereditary ; and that healthy long- 
lived parents w ould commonly transmit the same 
to their children, were it not for the frequent eiTors 
in the nonnaturals, w hich so evidently tend to the 
abbreviation of human life. 

“ Where is it, but from these causes, and the 
unnatural modes of living, that, of all the chil¬ 
dren born in the capital cities of Europe, nearly 
^qne half die in early infancy ? To what else nan 


EXERCISE. 


159 


We attribute this extraordinary mortality ? Sucli 
an amazing proportion of premature deaths is a 
circumstance unheard of among savage nations^ 
or among the young of other animals I In the 
earliest ages, we are informed, that human lile 
was protracted to a very extraordinary length ; yet 
how few persons, in these latter times,- arrive at 
that period which nature seems to have designed. 
Man is by nature afield animal; and seems destined 
to rise with the sun ; and to spend a large portion 
of his time in the open air; to inure his body to 
robust exercises, and the inclemency of the sea¬ 
sons ; and to make a plain homely repast only when 
hunger dictates. But art has studiously defeated 
the kind intentions of nature; and, by enslaving 
him to all the blandishments of sense, has left him, 
alas! an easy victim to folly and caprice. To 
enumerate the various abuses, which take place from 
the earliest infancy, and which are continued 
through the succeeding stages of modish life, 
would carry us far beyond our present intention. 
Suffice it to observe, that they prevail more parti¬ 
cularly among people who are the most highly 
polished and refined. To compare their artificial 
mode of life with that of nature, or even with the 
long-livers in the list, would probably afford a ve¬ 
ry striking contrast; and, at the same time, supply 
an additional reason, why, in the very large cities, 
instances of longevity are so rare.” 

Ericyclop. Britarm, 
As the animal juices are accumulated by noui;^- 
ishment and rest, and consumed by abstinence and 
motion ; it is a circumstance of the highest impor¬ 
tance to health, to proportion those opposite qual¬ 
ities duly, that the natural balance may be kept up 
between the solids and fluids. 


EXERCISE. 


.160 

Moderate exercise is a sovereign remed}^ 
either^ in preserving, or restoring health : it in¬ 
creases animal heat, invigorates the heart, and 
promotes a free and equal distribution of blood. 
It assists the secretions of perspiration, urine, and 
stool ; strengthens the appetite and digestion ; ren¬ 
ders the body less liable to the malignant influ¬ 
ence of weather, or to the attack of putrid diseases: 
in a word, it animates every part of the human sj s- 
tem ; and, likewise, gives alacrity and vigour to the 
jnind. 

The salutary power of exercise and good aii*, 
is particularly exemplified in laborious country 
people, who, notwithstanding their indifferent food, 
are generally hearty and strong. They have a 
much better appetite and digestion, than the rich 
and indolent. By increased heat consequent of 
exercise, the oily and watery parts of their food, 
such as it is, will be more uniformly mixed, and 
worked up into a proper degree of richness and 
consistence to nourish the body. 

Exercise, by walking in a dry, fresh air, is 
remarkably beneficial to those of weak solids, and 
pale watery blood; for it perceptibly increases 
their strength, and renders the complexion more 
fresh and florid. From this local alteration of the 
countenance, we may conclude the effect to he 
general; and that the blood is not only impregna¬ 
ted with the enlivening spirit of the air, as we have 
already remarked, but being rendered more fluid 
by an additional degree of vital heat, is capable 
of circulating through vessels of extreme fineness,, 
which were impervious to it before; and, upon 
those simple principles, it may clearly be seen, 
why exercise will be found a sovereign remedy in 
all chronic diseases proceeding from lax fibres,^ 
and a cold cause. 


EXERCISE. 


The frequent use of the flesh brush, or fric¬ 
tion With hot flannels impregnated with the fumes 
of myrrh, or gum copal, thrown on hot coals, will 
be found of much greater benefit to those of lax 
solids, and a languid circulation, than is generally 
imagined. The patient’s body and extremities 
should be rubbed twice or thrice a day. This spe¬ 
cies of exercise may be looked up)n as a kind 
of gentle electricity, which will generate heat, 
strengthen the fibres, promote the cnculation of 
blood, and assist perspiration: it will prevent that 
venous plenitude, or swelling of the veins, so fre¬ 
quent in advanced age: and there is another bene¬ 
ficial effect, which, 1 think, has not been men¬ 
tioned, viz. friction of the body will constantly 
occasion- the immediate discharge of wind from 
the stomach and bowels, by consent between the 
skin and those parts, merely from the principle of 
irritability, or that property of the animal fibre to 
re-act when acted upon by a gentle stimulus, and 
by which the contiguous parts are brought into 
action.. 

Exercise, or bodily motion, increases animal 
beat by the same law of natui^ that the electric 
globe, in whirling round, collects fire; hence, it 
renders tlie blood more fluid, and promotes its free 
and equal distribution through the whole vascular 
system. Many diseases, therefore, proceeding from 
weakness and a defect of circulation, may, by 
exercise, be efifectually relieved; such as nervous 
and hypochondriacal disorders, agues, dropsy, 
rheumatism, and palsy. 

Studious persons who are usually inactive, by 
too much rest of body, and intense exercise of 
mind, become weak, enervated, and hypochon- 
diuacal. The stomach loses its digestive faculty-^ 


EXERGISE. 


IG^ 

and the head is affected with giddiness and stupor. 
By the sedentary state or the body, compression of 
tile viscera, and want of perspiration, many dis¬ 
orders of the stomach are brougiit on. The secre¬ 
tion of bile in tlie liver is thus prevented, and its 
passage in the intestines retarded;, whence pro¬ 
ceed costiveness and piles, the formation of cal¬ 
culous concretions or gall-stones, and obstruction 
of the mesenteric glands.'’^ Leake. 

“ To continue exercise until a profuse perspira¬ 
tion, or a great lassitude, take place, cannot be 
wholesome. In the forenoon, when the stomach 
is empty, or, at least, when not too much distend¬ 
ed, muscular motion is most agreeable and health¬ 
ful: it strengthens digestion, and heats the body 
less than after a full meal. A good app.^'tite after 
it, is a proof, that it has not been carried to excess^ 
But it is not advisable to take violent exercise im¬ 
mediately before a meal; as this might occasion a 
deticiency of those humours which are necessary 
tp promote digestion. If we sit dow n to a substan¬ 
tial dinner or supper, immediately after a fatiguing 
walk, when the blood is heated, and the body in a 
gtate of perspiration, the worst coiisecjuences may 
ensue; especially, if we begin with tlie most cooLr 
4ng dishes, or with salad, or a glass of cold drink. 

Exercise is, likewise, hurtful directly after 
meals; since it obstructs digestion, and propels 
those fluids too much to the surface of the body 
4 vhich are designed for the stomach, to promote 
the solution of food, and, without which, many 
crude and undigested particles are forced to entei> 
and to mix with the blood. 

Persons who are under the necessity of mov¬ 
ing immediately after their meals, or who have no 
otlier time for walking, must cautiously endeavopT 


EXERCISE^ 


165 


to overcome these inconveniences by citstom_, and 
a more rigid temperance. They should first take 
the most gentle kind of exercise, and gradually 
increase it; and, as the late hours of dining now 
so generally in fashion, have, in a maimer, abo¬ 
lished heavy suppers, a moderate walk, after a 
slight evening’s repast, cannot be injurious. But, 
at ail events, fatiguing exercise, after a full meal, 
should be delayed till the stomach has digested 
and assimilated the food, which generally takes 
place in the third or fourth hour after eating. 

Friction of the body, which can be performed, 
either by the naked hand, a piece of flannel, or, 
still better, by a flesh brush, is one of the most 
gentle and useful species of exercise. The whole 
body may be subjected to this mild operation, but 
jirmcipally the abdomen, the spine, the arms, and 
legs. It clears the skin, resolves stagnating liu- 
inoLirs, promotes perspiration, strengthens the fi¬ 
bres, and increases the warmth and energy of the 
whole system. In rheumatism, gout, palsy, and 
s:reen sickness, it is an excellent remedv. 

After having taken exercise, we should not 
venture to rest in a cool place, nor upon a green 
plot; still less should we expose ourselves to a cur¬ 
rent of air; but rather frequent a place warmed by 
the mild rays of the sun in summer, or a moderately 
warm apartment in winter; so, that the sudden 
change of temperature may not injure us, by sup¬ 
pressing j>erspiration. 

We are now to consider the consequences 
arising from the w'ant of exercise. This, indeed, 
is still more debilitating than too violent motion. 
The solid parts of the human frame are relaxed 
by it: the circulation of the fluids is retarded: they 
gradually stagnate in the smaller capillary vessels : 


I64 


EXBRCISEr 


the secretions are diminished; and abundance of' 
inoistiire or fat is generated; which renders the 
body, as well as the mind_, more indolent and le¬ 
thargic. Relaxation of the muscles^ obstructions 
of the intestines, hemorrhoids, apoplectic fits, va¬ 
rious species of dropsy, and, at length, a prema¬ 
ture death, are the sad consequences.” Willich. 

Walking is the most gentle species of exer¬ 
cise. It promotes perspiration-, and, if not con¬ 
tinued too long, invigorates and strengthens the 
system. As the most simple and wholesome drink, 
namely water, is within every body’s reach, so 
this species of simple and wholesome exercise, is- 
in every body’s power, who has the use of his 
limbs. 

To such as can bear it, w^alking frequently up 
hill is recommended. The inhabitants of moun¬ 
tainous countries aic generally healthy and long- 
lived. This is commonly attributed to tlie purity 
of the air in such places; yet the frequent and 
necessary exercise of climbing mountains, which 
these people undergo, adds much to their health 
and longevity. Every one knows how much walk¬ 
ing up a. hill tends to create an appetite. This 
depends upon its increasing the insensible perspi¬ 
ration: an excretion, w ith which the appetite and 
the state of the stomach, in general, are much 
connected. Running is too violent, to be used 
often, or to be continued for any length of time. 
The running footmen, in all countries, are short¬ 
lived. Eew of them escape consumptions, before 
they arrive at their thirty-filth year. Sweating and 
perspiration have been found to be incompatible. 
The former always suppresses the latter. It has 
long been a subject of complaint, that the human 
species has teen degenerating for these several 


EXERCISE. 


l 6 a 

centuries. We grants that rinn, tobacco,, tea^ 
aiid some other luxuries of modern invention, have 
had a large share of weakening the stamina of our 
constitutions, and thus producing a more feeble 
race of men; yet, we must attribute much of our 
inferiority in strength, size, and agility, to the 
disuse which the invention of gun-powder and fire¬ 
arms has introduced of those athletic exercises, 
which were so much practised in former ages,, as 
a part of military discipline. Too much cani|ot 
be said in praise of swimming. ]3esides exercisilig 
the limbs, it serves to wash away the dust which 
is apt to mix itself with the sweat of our bodies in 
warm weather. Bathing and swimming, frequent¬ 
ly, in the summer season, are strongly recom¬ 
mended; but not too long a stay in the water at 
one time; lest, instead of increasing the vigour of 
the constitution, it be lessened. Talking and read¬ 
ing with an audible voice, promote the circulation 
of the blood through the lungs, and tend to 
strengthen these important organs, when used in 
moderation. 

These exercises should be varied according 
to age, sex, temperament, climate, and season. 
Young people stand in less need of exercise than 
old: women less than men. The natural vigour 
of their constitutions is such, that they suffer least 
from the want of it. This will explain the mean¬ 
ing, and shew the propriety of an opinion of 
Rousseau, who says, that, ‘ Women only should 
follow those mechanic arts which require a seden¬ 
tary life.’ But, again, a man who is phlegmatic, 
requires more frequent and violent exercise, than 
he who is of a bilious constitution: and, lastly, 
people, in warm climates and seasons, require less 
than those who live in cold. As Providence, by 


166 


ilXERCISE. 


supplying the inhabitants of warm climates with 
so many of the spontaneous fruits of the earth, 
seems to have intended, that they should labour 
less than the inhabitants of cold climates; so, we 
may infer from this> that less exercise, which is 
only a substitute for labour, is necessary for them. 
The heat of such climates is sufficient of itself to 
keep up a regular and due perspiration. It may be 
observed, that the longest-lived people are to be 
found in warm climates. The coldness of north¬ 
ern climates, from the vigour it gives to-the con¬ 
stitution, prompts to all kinds of exercise, which 
are not always restrained within proper bounds. 
These, when used to excess, wear out the body. 
The inhabitants of warm climates being less 
prompted tO'these things, their bodies continue 
longer unimpaired. The exercises hitherto men¬ 
tioned, may be termed active: the next are those 
of a passive nature. These are proper chiefly for 
valetudinarians. The life of a sailor is environed 
with so man\^ dangers, that heaven has, in com¬ 
pensation for them, connected with it an exemp¬ 
tion from many diseases. The exercise of sailing 
is constant. Every muscle is occasionally brought 
into exercise, from the efforts we make to keep 
ourselves from falling. These efforts continue to 
be exerted by the oldest sailors, although the 
consciousness of the mind in these, as well as in 
many other actions we perform, is not observed 
from the influence of habit. By means of this 
jegular and gentle exercise, the blood is moved in 
those small capillary vessels, where it is most apt to 
stagnate, and perspiration is increased, which is car¬ 
ried off as fast as it is discharged from the body, 
by the constant change of atmosphere in a ship 
under sail, ^Nothing is here said of the beneEt of' 


EXERCISE. 


167 

the sea-air, that being entirely negative. Its vir¬ 
tue, both at sea, and on the sea-shore, consists in 
notiling but its being freed from those noxious 
animal and vegetable effluvia, which abound in 
the air which comes across land. Sailing is recom¬ 
mended to consumptive people, especially to such 
as labour under a spitting of blood. Dr. Lind ob¬ 
serves, that out of five thousand, seven hundred,, 
and forty-one sailors who were admitted into the 
naval hospital at Haslar, near Portsmouth, in two 
years, only three hundred and sixty of them had 
consumptions, and in one fourth of these, it was 
brought on by bruises or falls. In the same num¬ 
ber of hospital patients, in any other situation, 
six times that number would probably have been 
consumptive: so much does the gentle exercise of 
sailing fortify the lungs against all accidents, and 
determines the quantity and force of the fluids to¬ 
ward the surface of the body. 

Riding in a chariot has but few advantages, 
inasmuch as we are excluded from the benefit of 
fresh air; an article upon which the success of all 
kinds of exercise, in a great measure, depends. It 
-should be used only by such persons as are unable 
to walk or ride on horseback. It is to be lament¬ 
ed, that those people use this mode of exercise the 
most, who stand in the greatest need of a more 
violent species. 

Riding on horseback is the most manly and 
useful species of exercise for gentlemen. Bishop 
Burnet expresses his surprise at the lawyers of his 
own time being so much more longlived (coeteris 
paribus) than other people, considering how much 
those of them who become eminent in their profes¬ 
sion, are obliged to devote themselves to constant 
nnd intense study ; and he attributes it entirely to 


168 


EXERCISE. 


their riding the circuits so frequently^ to attend 
the different courts in every part of the kingdom. 
Riding may be varied according to our strength, 
or the nature of our disorder, by walking, pacing, 
trotting, or cantering, our horse. All those diseases 
which are attended with weakness of the nerves, 
such as hysteric and hypochondriac disorders, 
which show themselves in a weakness of the sto¬ 
mach and bowels, indigestion, low spirits, &c. re¬ 
quire this exercise. It should be used with cau¬ 
tion in the consumption, and should never be vio¬ 
lent, nor continued too long at a time. In riding 
to preserve health, 8 or 10 miles a day are sufficient 
to answer ail the purposes we would wish for; but, in 
riding to restore health, these little excursions will 
avail nothing. The mind, as well as the body, 
must be roused from its languor. In taking an air¬ 
ing, as it is called, we ride over the same ground, 
for the most part, every day. We see no new ob¬ 
jects to divert us ; and the very consideration of ri¬ 
ding for health sinks our spirits so much, that we 
receive more harm than good from it. Upon this 
account, long journeys are recommended to such 
people, in order, by the variety or novelty of the 
jouriiey, to awaken or divert the mind. Many 
have, by these means, been surprised into health. 
Persons who labour under hysteric or epileptic dis¬ 
orders, should be sent to cold climates; those who 
labour under hypochondriac or consumptive com¬ 
plaints, should warm. 

V\^ith respect to the attention to exercise that 
should be recommended to those of studious habits, 
it is very generally observed, that how agreeable 
soever they may be to the mind, they are very far 
from being equally salutary to the body. Every 
one observes, that the Creator has formed an inti- 


EXERCISE. 


169 


mate connexion between the body and the mind; 
a perpetual action and re-action; by which the 
body instantly feels the disorders of the mind^ and 
the mind those of the body. The delicate springs 
of our frail machines lose their activity and be¬ 
come enervated, and the vessels choked with ob¬ 
structions, when we totally desist from exercise, 
and the consequences necessarily affect the brain : 
a mere studious life is, therefore, equally prejudi¬ 
cial to the body and the mind. The limbs, under 
such circumstances, become stiff; an awkward man¬ 
ner is contracted; and a certain disgustful air 
attends every action. An inclination to study is 
highly commendable; but it ought not to be car¬ 
ried to the extent of aversion to society and mo¬ 
tion. The natural lot of man is to live among his 
fellows; and wdiatever may be his situation in the 
world, there are a thousand occasions wherein he 
must render himself agreeable; to be active and 
adroit; to command the impetuous steed; to de¬ 
fend himself against an enemy; to preserve his 
life by dexterity, as by leaping, swimming, &c. 
Many rational causes have, therefore, given rise 
to the practice of particular exercises; and those 
legislators who deserve to be called the most saga¬ 
cious and benevolent, have instituted opportunities 
for enabling youth who devote themselves to study, 
to become expert, also, in laudable exercises.’^ 

KendaVs Eacyclop, 
“ Labour or exercise, as Dr. Cheyne observes, 
is indispensably necessary to preserve the body any 
time in due plight. Let any diet be pursued, how¬ 
ever adjusted, both in quantity and quality; let 
wdiatever evacuations be used to lessen the malady; 
oi* any succedaneum be proposed to prevent the ill 
effects, still our bodies are so made, and the animal 


170 


EXERCISE. 


•economy is so contrived^ that, without due labour 
and exercise, the juices will thicken, the joints 
will stiffen, the nerves will relax; and, from these 
.disorders, chronical diseases, and a crazy old age, 
jnust ensue. Essay on Htalth. 

Of all the exercises that are, or may be, used 
for health, as walking, riding on horseback, or in 
a coach, digging, pumping, ringing, See. walking 
is the most natural, and would be the most usetul, 
if it did not spend too much of the spirits of the 
weakly. But riding is certainly the most manly, 
•the most healthy, and is less laborious and expen- 
.sive of spirits than any. 

It is generally said, that riding is a more health¬ 
ful exercise than walking; which appears to be an 
assertion a little too general; for walking is much 
more effectual in promoting an increase of muscu¬ 
lar strength, and in imparting to the fibres a due 
elasticity, than riding. But, w'here any of the 
viscera are much obstructed, and a patient is too 
weak to support sufficient Walking exercise ; in such 
case, riding maj’ be more beneficial. L'pon the 
wdiole, it may be said, that walking is best for the 
preservation of health, but riding for the relief of 
chronical distempers; for, in those which are acute, 
neither of them is advisable. 

Those organs of the body that are most used, 
ahvays become strongest; so, that we may strength¬ 
en any weak organ by exercise. 'Fhus, the legs, 
thighs, and feet of chairmen; the arms and hands 
of watermen; the backs and shoulders of porters, 
grow thick, strong, and brawny, by time and use. 
it is certain, also, that speaking strong and loud 
W'ill strengthen the voice, and give foice to tlie 
lungs. To the asthmatic, therefore, and to those 
of w^cak lungs, i w^oiild recommead, says Dm 


EXERCISE. 


irr 

Ciieyne^ talking much and loud; walking up easy 
ascents, &c.; to those of weak nerves and diges¬ 
tion, riding on horseback; to those troubled with 
the stone, riding over rough causeways in a coach; 
to those troubled with rheumatic pains, playing at 
billiards, cricket, or tennis; to those of weak arms 
or hands, playing at tennis or football; to those of 
weak backs or breasts, ringing a bell, or working 
at the pump. Walking through rough roads, even 
to lassitude, will best recover the use of limbs to 
the gouty; though riding will best prevent the dis¬ 
ease; but the studious, the contemplative, the va¬ 
letudinary, and those of weak nerves, must make 
exercise a part of their religion. A condition ne¬ 
cessary to render exercise as beneficial as may be, 
is, that it may be used on an empty stomach. 

Under the head of exercise, cold bathing and 
the flesh brush come, also, to be recommended.” 

TIall's .Encyclop-. 


CHAPTER VI. 


CLOTHING. 



Every person’s own experience must have 
taught him, tliat his health, as well as comfort, 
depends greatly on clothing: indeed, it is to be 
doubted, whether the effects of variable weather 
and climates, which are so sudden, and so often 
productive of diseases on this continent, (a coun¬ 
try that may not improperly be said to participate 
of ail the climates in the world,) might not, in 
great measurCj be prevented, by adapting our cloth¬ 
ing, houses, &c. to the different vicissitudes of the 
weather and seasons of the year. 

Each season ought to have its proper clothing; 
and it is always safest to exceed in thick or warm 
clothes, especially in changeable weather and cli¬ 
mates. 

Some tender persons, after being abroad and re¬ 
turning home, are apt to take cold on changing 
their clothes; which, in such cases, ought to be 
done in the morning in preference to any other time. 
'Vaietgdinarians^ and others of delicate constitg- 


CLOTHING. 


173 


tions, ought, even in the hottest seasons and cli¬ 
mates, when exposed to the evening air, to put on 
an additional garment, or one thicker than is ne¬ 
cessary in the day-time. 

One reason, why people who change climates, 
or remove from one country to another, become 
sickly, is, for want of adapting their dress accord¬ 
ingly : for instance, it would be very improper, as 
well as disagreeable, for a Canadian to wear his 
customary clothes in Carolina; and, no less so, 
for an inhabitant of the latter place, to continue 
his in the country of the former. 

Labouring people, and all who perspire freely, 
ought not to continue at hard work with all their 
customary clothes on; but should, when they be¬ 
gin, take ofl* a part, remembering earefuliy, how ¬ 
ever, when they cease, to put on the same, wnth, 
perhaps, an additional garment: a vvant of atten¬ 
tion to which, has, undoubtedly, laid the founda¬ 
tion of many painful and fatal diseases. Flannel 
is peculiarly adapted for this class of people ; and,, 
indeed, for almost every other. 

Flannel is cheaper, and more comfortable; and" 
generally far more healthy than linen, especially 
in cold seasons and variable climates; in which 
times and places^ it should, by all means, be worn 
next to the skin. 

A flannel shirt is both an excellent preventive 
and remedy in rheumatic and asthmatic disorders; 
and in all others, occasioned or supported by an 
obstructed perspiration; and it has not improperly 
been termed one of the greatest preservatives of 
health. ' 

Flannel drawers, as well as flannel shirts, are so 
conducive to health and comfort, in cold weather, 
and in variable climates and seasons, that 1 can no- 
Q2 


174 


GLOTHIKG. 


less recommend the former than the latter, to the 
female, as well as to the male sex, es[)eciai]y, as 
they arrive at the age of puberty. 

Old people, so far advanced in life as to take 
little or no exercise, and whose circulation has be¬ 
come languid, stand more particularly in need of 
warm clothing, which ought to consist of flannel^ 
above all other kinds, worn next to the skin. 

Many lose the advantage of wearing llannel, 
by neglecting to put it on early enough in the au¬ 
tumn, and by taking it olf too soon in the spring. 
My general directions are, to })ut it on about the 
time of the autumnal equinox, or with tlie first 
frosts; and to continue it as long as any appear in 
the spring, or rather longer: indeed, for want of 
attending to this, some not only lose the advantage 
of it, but suffer material injury, especially if they 
discontinue it, too early; by which imprudence, 1 
have known some affected with severe pains and 
rheumatic complaints. 

Flannel is not only wanner and more comfort¬ 
able than linen, in cold weather, but it enables a 
person to withstand taking cold under almost every 
situation or circumstance favourable to it, sucli as 
moisture, sweating, exercise, &c. 

Woollen stockings are, undoubtedly, the most 
Iiealthy two-thirds of the year; and are higlily 
necessary and proper for children and sucking in¬ 
fants, that are often troubled with gripes, colics, 
&.C. owing to the naked and cold state in which 
their feet and legs are kept. 

Many think they cannot wear flannel by reason 
of its fretting their skins; but there are very few 
who cannot bear the softer kind, by inuring them- 
:Selves properly to it: and some of very tender 


CLOTHING, 


175' 


skins and delicate constitutions^ wear it throughout 
the summer, and Hnd it very tolerable. 

Some, on the approach ot‘ warm weather, feel¬ 
ing the irritating eflects of flannel shirts or waist¬ 
coats, are apt to take them ofl’; but it is better to 
bear that inconvenience, and gradually to diminish 
the outside clothing; and the uneasiness will soon 
become less. 

Those who cannot, or do not choose to wear it 
next to the skin, will find an advantage in a flan¬ 
nel or leathern waistcoat worn betwixt the jacket 
and shirt; bur, w hen that can be borne, it is always 
preferable. 

It IS said, that the manufacturers in various kinds 
of hot business, as glass-houses, foundcries, and 
forges, constantly wear flannel throughout the 
whole year, finding it both more comfortable and 
healthy, than linen. 

Cotton is of an intermediate nature between 
wool and linen; and, although not so W'arm and 
healthy as the former, may be more so than tiie 
latter, especially in cold countries and changeable 
climates. 

The practice of putting on wuirm or winter 
clothes early in autumn, is both comfortable and 
healthsome. 

It is well to go thinly clad in the house; but, in 
cold w-eather, when without doors, and especially 
if the body be not under exercise, to put on ad¬ 
ditional clothing. 

The Chinese are said to be particularly careful 
to change and adapt their clothing to the variations 
of the weather: a practice highly laudable, and 
worthy of imitation by other nations. 

It was thought, that Robert Boyle preserved his 
life many years, by regulating the thickness of his 


CLOTHING. 


clothes, by the degree of cold pointed out by the- 
therinometcr. 

The imruitural and unnecessary practice of stiff 
stays and tight lacing, is, it is hoped, fast declin¬ 
ing and falling into disuse: as is, also, that of the 
tight swaddling of infants, whose dress, above all 
others, ought to be loose and easy: they havingv 
no doubt, an efiect in impeding respiration, and 
in impairing digestion, as well as in contracting 
and cramping the natural easy motion of the mus¬ 
cles and limbs. 

VV^et clothes should always be removed, as soon 
as ])ossible, from all parts of the body; which 
should, immediately afterwards, be well rubbed 
with hannel and dried. And damp shirts, sheets, 
and beds, should, also, be carelhlly avoided. 

The superior advantages of flannel are experi¬ 
enced, not only in drawers and shirts, but, also, 
in sheets; w'hich last are more comfortable made 
of wool, than of linen, especially in cold, moist 
seasons, and in damp places. 

Strait and narrow-toed shoes are still in fashion 
with some;, but they need only the united voice of 
nature, reason, and experience to discard them 
from use. Cold feet, corns, and warts are their 
painful consequences; and those who can bear 
these disagreeable evils, may persist in their use. 
Shoes worn too small and narrow in childhood, 
are a frequent cause of cold and uncomfortabla 
feet in more advanced age. 

Every person’s health depends much on keeping 
h!s beet warm and dry; to which, thick and cork 
soles wall greatly contribute. New^ shoes, and 
those lately mended, should not be wmrn, before 
they are thoroughly dry. 

JNew houses with wails lately plastered, are both 


CLOTHING. 177 

very uncomfortable and unhealthy; and should^ 
also^ be shunned^ particularly to sleep in. 

Tight collars^ waistbands, wristbands, and garters, 
by obstructing the circulation of the blood, are all 
improper; and may, if constantly worn, prove inju¬ 
rious to health. The first have been known to 
produce vertigoes and .apoplexies. 

Light-coloured clothes, and white hats, are found 
to attract the rays of the sun less, than those that 
me dark; and are, therefore, better adapted for 
hot seasons and climates. 

Whoever is subject to catch cold, or have win¬ 
ter coughs, or asthmas, sore-throats, rheumatisms, 
&c. will find their interest in seeking the flannel 
waistcoat worn next to the skin, and put on before 
the cold weather sets in, and, also, in warm stock¬ 
ings and shoes; for the consent between the feet 
and the lungs, throat and bowels, is very great, and 
many a fit of the colic, &c. may be prevented by 
attending to this little matter. 

I have, for some years past, been very ten¬ 
der, and much of a valetudinarian, particularly be¬ 
fore I put on a flannel waistcoat next my skin. 
I think 1 owe my continuance of health to it; and 
am more robust, and less liable to catch cold du¬ 
ring our severest winters since 1 used it. 1 know, 
that flannel, like all other things, cannot be applied 
to every person with equal propriety. But, foi 
those afflicted with winter coughs, or in gouty, i heu- 
inatic, and asthmatic constitutions, it is not only 
useful but absolutely necessary. 

Those who object to flannel, may wear calico 
instead of it: those who object to both of them, 
may wear a thin leathern w^aistcoat over the shirt, 
as is the custom in Spain. 

Children that are sut^ect to gripes, convuL 


178 


CLOTHING. 


sions, coughs, See. should always wear warm 
stockings : these, and many of their complaints, 
arise from their limbs being chilled, by the severe 
cold of our winters, and their legs and feet not 
being covered at all.” Hays. 

“ Those officers and soldiers who wore flannel 
waistcoats, next their skins, not only escaped colds,< 
but dysenteries, and other contagious disorders; 
while those that wore none, were soon hurried off,, 
by diseases s<i commonly fatal in camps.” Rush. 

Sir Benj. Thomson observes. He is confident 
it would prevent a number of diseases; and he 
thinks there is no greater luxury than the comfort¬ 
able sensation which arises from wearing it, es¬ 
pecially after one is a little accustomed to it. 

It is a mistaken notion, (says he), that it is too 
warm a clothing for summer. 1 have worn it in 
the hottest elimates, and at all seasons of the year, 
and never found the least inconvenience from it. 
It is the warm bath of a perspiration confined by 
linen shirts wet with sweat, which renders the sum¬ 
mer heats of southern climates so insupportable; 
but flannel promotes perspiration, and favours its- 
evaporation ; and evaporation, as is well known, 
produces positive cold.” Encyclop. Britami. 

“ Not only analogy, but experience, also, proves, 
that wool, worn next the skin, has indisputable 
advantages d%'er all other substances. 

The principal good effect of flannel, however, 
consists in its gentle and beneficial stimulus, or that 
friction which it occasions on the skin, and by 
which it opens the pores. We must not imagine, 
that flannel, of itself, heats more than linen, or 
cotton, for it is not the heat which occasions incon¬ 
venience, but tiie circumstance of the perspirable 
matter adhering to the^skin., la flannel, we may 


CLOTIIIN-G. 


179 


perspire witliout danger^ and undertake any exer¬ 
cise of the body without disagreeable sensations; 
but not so^ when linen remains wet on the skin. 
If we take violent exercise in flannel, perspiration 
is necessarily increased, but the perspired matter is 
communicated through the flannel to the atmos¬ 
phere, and the skin remains dry, warm, and com¬ 
fortable. If we take the same exercise in knen 
shirts, perspiration is, indeed, also increased but tlie 
perspired matter is not imparted to tlie atmospliere^ 
but IS inspissat d .n a fluid state, clogs the linen, 
and remains in contact with the skin. 

Another advantage which flannel possesses 
over linen and cotton is, that people perspiring 
profusely in flannel shirts, may safely venture in 
the open air, and will not easily cateh cold, be¬ 
cause flannel does not retain the perspired humours. 
If we do the same in linen shirts, the skin will soon 
be wetted by perspiration, which v\ill occasion a 
sensation of chilliness and shivering; in most cases, 
a violent cold; and, very frequently, an inflam¬ 
mation of the lungs, will be the consecjueiice. 
This daimer arises from the fluid matter settlme: on 
the skin; and we may be still more severely in¬ 
jured, if we, at the same time, expose ourselves 
to the action of the wind, or a current of air. 

It has been objected, tliat flannel, worn next 
the skin, is debilitating, because it too much in¬ 
creases perspiration; but this is not founded on 
trutli; since perspiration, as long as the skin re¬ 
mains dry, never can be hurtful or immoderate. 

“ The uneasy sensation occasioned by flannel 
is of very short duration. That it may make the 
skin red and inflamed, if it be too much rubbed 
and scratched, cannot be denied; hut it is a pal- 
' pable error, that it produces cutaneous eruptions. 


ISO 


elOTHIMG. 


It has quite a contrary effect, as it preserves the 
pores open, increases perspiration, and thus re¬ 
moves the cause of cutaneous diseases, which arise 
chiefly from a checked and irregular state of ex¬ 
cretion by the pores. 

Many desperate diseases in the legs of the 
coimnon people, many inflammations of the throat, 
breast, and lungs, might be prevented, and num¬ 
bers of lives saved, both of children and adults, if 
flannel were more generally worn. 

Those who complain of cold legs and feet, 
are never comfortable nor healthy; but, if they 
could be prevailed upon to wear worsted stockings 
and flannel drawers, they weuld acquire a quicker 
circulation of the blood in the lower extremities, 
and prevent many troubles and indispositions, 
from which, without this precaution, they cannot 
escape. 

By continuing it a sufficient length of time, 
and ehanging it frequently, the most obstinate, 
gouty, and rheumatic complaints have often been 
removed, and many other imminent dangers 
avoided. 

All coverings of the neck ought, therefore, to 
be worn loose. Persons who are liable to sore 
throats, and diseases of the breast, should gradu- 
all}^ accustom themselves, in mild and dry weather, 
to-go with their necks as slightly covered as possi¬ 
ble; and, if fashion would permit it, to have no 
other covering but the collar of the shirt, in cold 
and moist weather, a thin handkerchief may be 
added. But the modern cravats, filled with a stif¬ 
fening of cotton or wool, are extremely injurious 
to the part which they are intended to protect. 
For, by occasioning too great heat, they render 
tlio meek unnaturaily sensible to every change of 


CLOTHlNtf. 


ISI 

the atmosphere. It is rather surprising, that, from 
a clue sense of their perniciousness, vve have re¬ 
jected all coverings of the neck in children, as 
being troublesome and useless; yet, in detiance of 
reason and experience, we continue to encumber 
our own necks with such bandages. 

Laced stays are, among the better ranks of soci¬ 
ety, at present out of fashion; since the Grecian form 
is justly preferred to all artificial shapes. Yet, when 
we have adopted an useful habit ourselves, it is our 
duty to recommend it to those, also, who are still 
following a destructive practice. I cannot but re¬ 
luctantly observe, that nine-tenths of the commu¬ 
nity still wear these oppressive strait jackets, merely 
because their mothers and grandmothers have done 
the same. 1 shall, therefore, briefiy state a feiv 
of the consequences arising from this unnatural 
part of female dress; namely, diseases of the 
breast, external callosities, and cancer itself; the ribs 
are compressed; the spine is bent out of its place; 
the free expansion of the lungs is prevented; hence, 
shortness of breath, indurations and tubercles of 
the lungs, cramp of the stomach, defective diges¬ 
tion, nausea, irregularities in the secretory and 
other organs, and the like: in short, the list of 
maladies thus produced, is too long to be here de¬ 
tailed; and both married and unmarried ladies, for 
the sake of compassion, should exert all their in¬ 
fluence to convince the common people of the in¬ 
juries occasioned by stiff-laced stays. 

If any such part of dress be at all admissible, 
it ought to consist of soft and pliable materials, 
such as fine chamois leather, hatters’ felt, or, what 
is still better, the knitted and more elastic texture 
used for gloves and stockings. 

There are many reasons which delicacv for- 

R 


182 


CLOTHING. 


bids me to mention, why it would be highly bene 
ficial to the physical and moral condition of fe¬ 
males, to wear some kind of drawers, at least, 
after a certain age. 

‘^We may farther remark, that the prevailing 
custom of wearing light and thin dresses, especi¬ 
ally among females, is by no means conducive to 
longevity; for, as those votaries of fashion and 
caprice are, in all seasons, exposed to cold and 
rheumatic complaints, many of them at length 
contract pulmonary or consumptive diseases, and 
fall victims of folly, at a period of life when they 
ought to be most useful to society. 

In autumn, we should not dress too lightly; 
and in the mornings and evenings, always some¬ 
what warmer; in short, we ought to avoid every 
thing that appears likely to check and repel perspi¬ 
ration. The baneful custom of accommodating 
our dress to the almanac and the fashion, rather 
than to the vicissitudes of the weather, in this in¬ 
constant climate, must necessarily be productive of 
many disagreeable consequences. Above all things, 
we ought-to change our summer-dress rather early 
in autumn, and to clothe ourselves gradually warmer, 
according to tlie variations of the weather.” 

WillicL 

But the dangerous consequence of external 
pressure on the abdominal viscera, may be more 
fully demonstrated by observing the effect of tight 
lacing in the female sex; a custom so prevailing, 
though unnatural and pernicious, that it requires 
the most serious consideration. 

By the violent mechanical pressure of narrow 
stays, or tight lacing, the internal vital organs will 
be partially displaced, and the body thrown out of 
its natural direction; consequently, distortion will 


CLOTHING. 


183 


easue^ particularly in young subjects who are in a 
growing state. Under such circumstances, the 
whole abdominal viscera being compressed, espe¬ 
cially the stomach, liver, and mesentery; the cir¬ 
culation of blood through their numerous vessels 
being thereby obstructed; the due performance of 
their vital functions will be prevented; without 
which, neither health nor life can long subsist. 

The violence of such pressure will, also, change 
the course of the blood; and, by strangulating 
the exterior vessels, those internally will be over¬ 
charged with a redundant quantity: hence, the 
more delicate parts, viz. the brain and lungs, be¬ 
ing distended and inflamed, the patient will be 
anected with stupor, and head-ach, difficulty of 
breathing, and a strong, feverish breath. 

The constriction of tight ligatures round the 
waist, wdll also prevent the heait, which is the 
principal agent of circulation, from discharging 
its blood by the arteries, for the nourishment of the 
body; or its being freely returned by the veins; 
and, from this cause, will proceed oppression and 
palpitation of the heart, fainting, swelling of the 
legs, fluoralbus, and profuse periodical discharge; 
obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, and mesen¬ 
teric glands; inflammation of the lungs, and spit¬ 
ting of blood, frequently terminated by an incur¬ 
able consumption. 

In a word, this preposterous and pernicious 
custom, which prevails more or less, as fashion 
points the way, disfigures the body, destroys the 
natural ease and elegance of the shape, and has 
been the cause of bringing many of the female 
sex to an untimely grave.” Leake, 


CHAPTER VII. 


PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 


Nothing contributes more, perhaps, to pre-* 
serve a constitution healthy, and to restore it when 
disordered, than a calm dispassionate state of mind; 
there having cases occurred, not only of bodily 
disease, but death itself, being occasioned by vio¬ 
lent fits of anger. Witness the instances of the 
princes, Wenceslas, Valentinian, and Corvinces,^ 
to all of whom it proved mortal. 

The passions of the mind may be divided into 
two classes: 1st, joy, hope, love, and desire; which 
are called animating: 2d, anger, terror, revenge, 
hatred, and envy; which are called the depressing 
passions. They are not only different in their na¬ 
ture or degree, but in their effect on the consti¬ 
tution; and, therefore, they might be supposed to 
require separate considerations; but this would lead 
me into a discussion and length beyond the bounds 
of the present work. 

Though anger is too often indulged, and too 
rarely considered as an exciting cause of diseases. 


PASSIONS OF THE MIND. 1 ^ 5 ^ 

yet its effects are too obvious and baneful to escape 
notice; for experience shows,, that, by its indulge 
ence, the whole vascular, nervous, and muscular 
systems are violently agitated, and thrown into 
preternatural motions, constrictions, and spasms; 
which operate, and often produce morbid effects 
on the nervous and membranous parts, such as the’ 
stomach, intestines, and biliary passages: hence, 
the diseases most commonly the consequence of 
violent passions, are hjemorrhages, jaundice, co¬ 
lic, epilepsy, and apoplexy, with the whole train 
of nervous and hypochondriac complaints, too 
numerous to recapitulate here. 

As anger has such a powerful effect on the con¬ 
stitution as to occasion disease and death, it is not 
surprising to find, that it might, sometimes, answer 
the purpose of medicine, and be used as a remedy . 
We are accordingly told, that it has cured obsti¬ 
nate agues^ and that it has proved no less equallv 
salutary to certain arthritic, paralytic, and even 
dumb persons. But this remedy being attended 
with such different and powerful effects, requires 
the utmost care and prudence in its application: 
indeed, so much so, that it deserves more properly 
to be ranked among the laedentia, (hurtful,) than 
juvantia, (useful,) of medicines. 

Persons subject to violent fits of anger or passion, 
should, both with a physical and moral view, en¬ 
deavour to guard against it with particular care and 
attention. They ought to watch with scrupulous 
vigilance the first approach of the enemy, and to 
exert themselves to withstand, with rational and 
firm fortitude^, the force of the impending tempest, 
by diverting their attention, as much as possible, 
from the objects of provocation. They should, by 
all means, endeavour to avoid the causes that giver. 

Ra 


1S6 


I'ASSIONS OF THE MINI). 

rise to the storm, and to shun, with terror, tlm 
black cloud that threatens the blast, as they would 
the mortal Upas, or the venomous Manchiueel tree 
of the Indies. 

Such ought to bear in mind, that The domi¬ 
nion over our passions and affections is an essen¬ 
tial and indispensable requisite to liealth.” And 
they will find a [)articular advantage in observing 
temperance in eating and drinking; in avoiding; 
much animal food; and other kinds of meats, as 
well as drinks, of a stimulating, acrid, and heat¬ 
ing nature; and, in applying to some steady em¬ 
ployment of mind and body, which may, some¬ 
times, be usefully extended to a moderate degree 
of fatigue. 

Pythagoras advised his pupils to abstain from 
animal food, a plentiful use of which is observed 
to lead to an irascible and libidinous disposition. 

After paroxysms of passion, when no morbid 
effects appear, few or no medicines become neces¬ 
sary; but it is well to observe temperance in diet, 
and to encourage sleep; to which, it is found, that 
the constitution, after the impulse of the fit, is ge¬ 
nerally inclined. 

It is judged safest and most prudent for persons 
under the influence of passion, not to swallow their 
■saliva or spittle, it being thought by some, to be, 
at such a time, of a venomous nature: indeed, in¬ 
stances are recorded of persons being bitten by 
others in anger, who have died in consetjueiiee. 

Lest my readers should think, that 1 iiave unne¬ 
cessarily warned them of the dangerous nature and 
effects of the passions, I shall adduce some addi¬ 
tional and confiiTning authorities, as 1 liave liereto- 
fore done, on most of the other subjects in this 
treatise. 


PASSIONS OF THE MIND. ] 87 

Physicians and naturalists, aflord instances of 
Very extraordinary effects of this passion. Borri- 
chiiis oiired a woman of a very inveterate tertian 
ague, which had baffled the art of fih} sic, by put¬ 
ting the patient in a furious fit of anger. Valeriola 
made use of the same means, with tlie like success, 
in a quartan ague. The same passion has been 
equally salutary to paralytic, gouty, and even 
dumb persons; to which last, it has sometimes 
given the use of speech. Etmidler gives divers 
instances of very singular cures wrought by anger; 
among others, lie mentions a person laid up in the 
gout, who, being provoked by his physician, flew 
upon him and was cured. It is true, the remedy 
is somewhat dangerous in the application, when a 
patient does not know how to use it with modera¬ 
tion. We meet with several instances of })rinces 
to whom it has proved mortal; e. g. Valentinian, 
the first, Wenceslas, Matthias Corvinces, king of 
Hungary, and others. There are, also, instances 
wherein it has produced the epilepsy, jaundiee, 
cholera morbus, diarrhoea, 8cc. in fact, this pas¬ 
sion is of such a nature, that it quickly throws the 
Avhole nervous system into preternatural commo- 
'tions, by a violent stricture of the nervous and 
muscular parts; and surprisingly augments, not 
only the systole of the heart, and of its con¬ 
tiguous vessels, but, also, the tone of the fibrous 
parts in the whole body. It is, also, certain, that 
this passion, by the spasmodic stricture it produces 
in the parts, exerts its powers principally on the 
stomach and intestines, w'hich are highly nerveits 
and membranous parts; whence, the symptoms are 
more dangerous, in proportion to the greater con¬ 
sent of the stomach and intestines, with the othcM 
nervous parts, and, almost, with the whole body. 


1S8 PASSIOf^S OP THE MIND. 

The unhappy influence of anger, likewise, on 
the biliary and hepatic ducts, is very surprising; 
since, by an intense constriction of these, the liver 
is not only rendered scirrhous, but stones,, also, 
are often generated in the gall-bladder and biliary 
ducts: these accidents have scarcely any other 
origin than an obstruction of the fl'ee motion and 
efflux of the bile, by means of this violent stric¬ 
ture. From such a stricture of these ducts, like¬ 
wise, proceeds the jaundice, which, in process of 
time, lays a foundation for calculous concretions 
in the gall-bladder. Lastly, by increasing the 
motion of the fluid, or the spasms of the fibrous 
parts, by means of anger, a larger quantity of 
blood is propelled with an impetus to certain parts; 
whence, it happens, that they are too much dis¬ 
tended, and the orifices of the veins distributed 
there opened. It is evident, from experience, that 
anger has a great tendency to excite enormous 
haemorrhages, either from the nose, the aperture 
of the pulmonary artery, the veins of the anus ; 
or, in women, from the uterus; especially in those 
previously accustomed and disposed to such eva¬ 
cuations. 

The due regulation of the passions, perhaps,, 
contributes more to health and longevity, than 
that of any other of the nonnaturalsi The ani¬ 
mating passions, such as joy, hope, love, &c. 
when kept within proper bounds, gently excite the 
nervous influence, promote an equable circulation, 
and are highly conducive to health; while the de¬ 
pressing affections, such as fear, grief, and des¬ 
pair, produce the contrary effect, and lay the 
foundation of the most formidable diseases.” 

Encyclop. Britann. 

All passionS; of whatever kind, if they rise 


P\\SSIONS OF THE MIND. 189 

to a high 'and violent degree, are of a dangeioiis 
tendency: bodily disease, nay, death itselt^, may 
be their concomitant ed'ects. Fatal apoplexies 
have frequently followed sudden dread or terror. 
Catalepsy and epileptic fits, sometimes accompany 
immoderate affliction, or distressing anxiety. Hy¬ 
pochondriasis, hysterics, and habitual dejection, 
may, indeed, arise from a variety of physical 
causes; but they are as frequently generated by the 
passions or sulierings of the mind alone, in indi¬ 
viduals otherwise healthy. . 

Diseases of the mind, after some time, pro¬ 
duce various disorders of the body; as diseases of 
the body occasionally terminate in imbecility. In 
either case, the malady must be opposed by physi¬ 
cal, as well as moral remedies. 

In order to prevent, or, at least, to oppose the 
torrent of these and similar passions, man must 
not only be seriously apprised and" convinced of 
the danger and the dreadful misery attendant on 
intemperance and excess, but he must, also, sub¬ 
mit to a strictly temperate mode of life, if he as¬ 
pire to rise to the dignity of his nature, and above 
the rank of the lower animals. He is a rational 
being, though his sensitive faculties every where 
remind him of his animal nature. Hence, the 
following rules cannot be too rigidly adhered to: 
a constant and useful employment; salutaiy exer¬ 
cise of the body, till it be moderately fatigued; 
temperance in eating and drinking; abstinence 
from strong and heating food and liquors; avoid¬ 
ing the habits of effeminacy, solitude, and too 
much rest; and, lastly, a strict attention, from 
early youth, to the most rigid modesty and purity 
of manners. 

• iNo fluid is more affected by anger than the 


190 PASSIONS OF THE MIND, 

bile, which, by its violent influx into the cliiode- 
num, produces a fixed spasmodic pain in the re¬ 
gion of the navel, flatulency, vomiting, a bitter 
taste in the mouth, uneasiness and pressure about 
the pit of the stomach; and, at length, either ob¬ 
structions or diarrhoea. 

The propensity to anger is increased by want 
of sleep; by heating food and drink; bitter sub¬ 
stances; much animal food; rich soups; spices; 
and, by all things that have a tendency to inflame 
the blood. Persons subject to this passion, should 
use diluent, acidulated, and gently aperient drink, 
and observe, in every respect, the most rigid tem¬ 
perance. Such persons ought to sleep more than 
others; and employ the lukewarm bath, gentle 
cathartics of cream of tartar or tamarinds, fruit, 
buttermilk, whey, vegetable aliment, &c. 

After a very violent paroxysm of anger, it is 
sometimes necessary to open a vein, in order to 
prevent inflammation; or, to cause the evacuation 
of the bile by an emetic; which cases, however, 
are to be determined only by professional men. 
The saliva should not be swallowed, in such a 
situation; for, it is, by some, supposed to possess 
a slightly poisonous quality. 

Persons under the influence of terror, some¬ 
times, stand in need of a cordial; but the hypo¬ 
chondriac will find in wine and other strong liquors, 
rather an uncertain remedy, or one which, at best, 
is only palliative; and, if immoderately used, they 
must necessarily promote sadness, as well as every 
other passion, which these supposed anodynes, in 
the end, always increase by their alternately stimu¬ 
lating and relaxing effects.’' Wlllkh, 


CHAPTER VIII. 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 



1 HE obsei'vation and experience of all suffici- 
fjntly evince, that our health is often affected by 
the state and functions of the retentions and ex¬ 
cretions. 

It is necessary, not only that a due proportion 
of food and drink be taken into the body for its 
nourishment and support; but, that all excremen- 
titious substances and fluids remaining, or separat¬ 
ed from them, and not intended for its use, should 
be timely and properly discharged by the several 
emunctories or outlets: a want of which, often 
lays the foundation of many painful and incurable 
disorders. 

Where the animal functions are duly perform¬ 
ed, the secretions go on regular^; and the differ¬ 
ent evacuations so exactly correspond to the quan^ 
tity of aliment taken in, in a given time, that the 
body is found to return daily to nearly the same 
weight. If any particular evacuation happen to 
be preternatui'aily diminished^ some other evacua- 


DETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


19s 

tioii is proportionally augmented, and the equili- 
briuni is commonly preserved; but continued irre¬ 
gularities, in these important functions, cannot but 
terminate in disease.” Encyclop. Britamu 

“ The evacuations of the body from its super¬ 
fluous, impure, and noxious particles, are no less 
necessary than its nourishment. The same power 
which changes and assimilates our food and drink, 
likewise efl’ects -the due and timely evacuation of 
the secretions. It is lin object of the first conse¬ 
quence, that nothing remain in the body which 
ought to be evacuated; and, that nothing be eject¬ 
ed which may be of use to its preservation. Indeed, 
much depends on a proper state of the evacuations. 
If these be disordered, the most rigorous observ¬ 
ance of dietetic rules is insufficient to ensure our 
liealth; while, on the contrary, most of those 
rules may be neglected for some time, without any 
injurious consequences, if the evacuations be re¬ 
gular.” ^ WilHcL 

The principal emunctories by which the evacua¬ 
tions are excreted, are, by stool, urine, and per¬ 
spiration ; of each of which, I shall treat in that 
order. 

Section 1 . By Stool. 

Although some persons may go several days 
without a stool, yet no one can be said to enjoy 
good health long, or his constitution to be without 
danger of being disordered, who has not an evacu¬ 
ation of this kind daily, or, at farthest, every 
other day: for, if costiveness, once induced, be¬ 
come fixed, and the faices or excrements be voided 
in a dry, indurated state, and with difficulty, it is 
almost sure to be followed b\^ some of its numerous' 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS, IQS 

bad consequences, among which, are flatulency, 
head-ach, dyspepsia or indigestion, pyrexia or 
febrile symptoms, colic, and haemorrhoids or 
piles. 

The importance and necessity of a daily regular 
passage by stool, are not enough known, and 
rarely sufficiently attended to, either by physicians 
or others, who may otherwise enjoy pretty good 
health; for, if a dry, costive state of the bowels 
continue long, and become habitual, it is rendered 
difficult of cure, though, at first, it might have 
been easily obviated. 

It is well known, that a common costiveness 
may be removed, for the present, by taking some 
purgative medicine; but, in that which is obstinate 
or habitual, it becomes necessary to repeat it fre¬ 
quently; which practice, if long continued, is 
almost sure to injure the constitution, especially, if 
those of a stimulating, acrid, or heating nature be 
used. 

It ought to be an established point with all who 
wish to preserve their health, (and who does not 
possess that wish :) to endeavour to have a free 
regular stool, at least, once a-day: and, if they 
feel little or no inclination towards it, they should 
make the customary retreat, and use the necessary 
endeavours, at about a certain time of the day, 
which is generally best in the morning: and they 
will soon find, that a regular discharge that way 
will become, in some measure, habitual, and ge¬ 
nerally established: which is the easiest, safest, 
and best way to prevent a costive habit. Locke 
recommends, To solicit nature by going regular¬ 
ly to stool every morning, whether one has a call 
or not.” 

Children should have two or three stools in a 
S 


194 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


day; and it is better for adults to have that num¬ 
ber^ than to pass over twenty-four hours without 

TJie first motion to the discharge is the easiest^ 
and ought always to be obeyed and preferred. It 
may, however, sometimes, not be improper to 
forego or pass over the first slight inclination, in 
order to establish the regular habit recommended. 

Costive persons should retire often, even if they 
feel little or. no occasion for it. Overstraining to 
promote the discharge ought, however, to be 
avoided, as it may produce ruptures, or the piles^ 
The complaint seems, in some families, like cer¬ 
tain other disorders, to be hereditary. 

People of studious lives^ and those who follow 
sedentary and inactive employments, are most sub¬ 
ject to a slow and bound belly: such should, there¬ 
fore, rise early in the morning, and be more par¬ 
ticularly careful to use frequent exercise in walking, 
^especially a little before tlie customary time of the 
evacuation; which will be found to be encouraged 
and promoted by that means: in confirmation of 
wdiich, we may observe, that, by late indulgence 
in bed, or, by placing ourselves in an inactive 
situation; and, particularly, by riding on liorse- 
back, the discharge may altogether be prevented 
for a considerable time. 

The inhabitants of cities are generally much 
more subject to costiveness, than country people, 
owing to the air, diet, and want of exercise, of 
which the former generally partake. 

Some persons are made costive by being much in 
company; and others by being aboard of a vessel; 
both of which situations ought, tlierefore, to claim 
early and particular attention by alLwlio are subject 
to this complaint. 


l^fiTENTIONS ANB EXCRE 1 foTN^S. 11)5 

When persons become costive^, and pass the 
accustomed period several days, tlie' power of eva¬ 
cuation becomes sometimes lost; aud it not unfre¬ 
quently throws them into colics; wlnfn it will be¬ 
come necessary to use clysters, or some purgative 
mcdici n es i mmed i ately. 

If the establishment of a regular habit by stool, 
be not found sufficient to obviate costiveness,- we 
must endeavour to prevent it by a suitable diet; 
which will be frequently effectual, when that fails. 

This should consist of a large proportion of fruit 
and vegetables) most of which are better in a 
cooked, than in a raw state, being less flatulent, and 
apt to inflate the stomach and bowels of hystericjr 
hypochondriac, and dyspeptic people. ‘A plenti¬ 
ful use of apples, pears, prunes, cassia, figs, and. 
tamarinds, is particularly well adapted for costive 
habits; and will frequently be found, w ithout any 
thing else, to have the desired effect. 

Bread made of flour from which little or none 
of the bran has been separated, is somewhat of a 
laxative nature, and has that effect upon some: and 
rye-bread is generally more so than wheaten. 

I have already mentioned in Chapter III. the 
use of meslin, a kind df bread made of a mixture 
of wdieat and rye, as surpassing all others for keep¬ 
ing the body soluble. Taf broths, with pot-herbs, 
marj’ow, and jellies made of calves’ feet, are very 
suitable for persons subject to a dry, costive state, 
of their bowels, and for those who pass their fceces 
in a compact, globular form. 

A raw or rare-boiled egg, or a spoonful or two- 
of treacle or molasses, taken in the morning fast¬ 
ing, has, sometimes, a good effect: and some think, 
that a draught of buttermilk, bonny-clabber, whey, 
or even fresh cold water, drunk evening and morn- 


196 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

ing_, has an opening tendency; but all spirituous, 
vinous^ and heating malt-liquors should be care¬ 
fully avoided by persons afflicted with costivenegs. 

When, neither the regular habit of going to 
stool, nor the diet which I have recommended, 
has the effect of keeping the body sufficiently open, 
we must have recourse to some laxative medicines; 
which should always, at first, be of the weakest 
and mildest kind; such as manna, senna, rhubarb, 
crystals or cream of tartar, soluble or vitriolated 
tartar, flowers of sulphur, castor oil, or a little of 
the lenitive electuary. Balsam of capivi, taken in 
doses of sixty drops, or upwards, operates as a 
laxative; and is excellent in the hemorrhoids or 
piles, lliera picra, aloetic pills, and elixir pro- 
prietatis, or rather, the elixir sacrum of the Edin¬ 
burgh Dispensatory, answer well for persons of 
sedentary lives, cold stomachs, and slow bowels; 
but are improper in that disorder, and in habits 
disposed to it. 

Those who have an aversion to the above medi¬ 
cines, or who find themselves injured by a frequent 
use of them, may substitute mustard-seed, castile 
soap, rob of elderberries, or syrup of buckthorn; 
or, they may occasionally swallow a little of the 
smoke, or spittle of tobacco, which has been, 
found particularly serviceable in relieving some 
kinds of costiveness, accompanied with frequent 
colic pains. 

In some cases of the most inveterate and habi¬ 
tual costiveness, in which the usual remedies prove 
ineffectual, it is said, that carbon, or charcoal, has 
been administered with the most complete success. 
The finely levigated powder is mixed in the propor¬ 
tion of one drachm to one ounce of lenitive elec¬ 
tuary, and two drachms of soda: which mixture 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 1^7 


Diaj be taken to the quantity of half an ounce^ 
or more^ twice or thrice a-day, as occasion may 
require. 

1 need scarcely remark^ that all laxatives ought 
to be taken on an empty stomach; and, that no 
solid food should be eaten soon afterwards; for, by 
inattention to this circumstance, they are not only 
less eifectual, but tend to injure the constitution 
much more, than when taken fasting. 

The most proper nourishment to be fii^st swallow¬ 
ed, after taking medicines of this class, is, a little 
warm tea, coiiee, or weak chocolate; and next, 
either some barley water, oaten or Indian gruel, 
chicken water, weak milk-porridge, or thin broth; 
according to the inclination or constitution of the 
patient, and experience of the physician. It is, 
moreover, highly improper and imprudent for a 
person, during the operation of any strong purga¬ 
tive, particularly of the mercurial kind, to drink 
cold water, or much of other liquids in that state ; 
and to expose himself to a damp cold air; but he 
should rather keep house, and take all his drink 
and food warm. The contrary management has 
often produced sudden and alarming elTects, too 
well known to every physician. 

Some cases of costiveness, however, occur, in 
which purgative medicines seem not well to answer 
the end; at least, without being copiously used, 
and frequently repeated; and in which, clysters 
only are found to give relief. These are both more 
easily, and more effectually administered, when 
given with a large syringe, than with the common 
bag and pipe. 

A form of syringe is now invented, with w^hich 
a person is enabled to administer an injection on 
himself], without any assistance. This will;, it is 


193 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


hoped, be a means of bringing into more frequent 
practice the use of a remedy, which has hitherto 
been too much neglected in this country; and 
which has too often been attempted to be supplied 
with internal medicines that have, by frequent re-^ 
petition, proved highly prejudicial to manj^ con^ 
stitutions.* 

The hemorrhoids are generally preceded and 
occasioned b}" a slow and bound bellywhich is 
not only the certain forerunner of that painful and 
distressing complaint, but of many others, espe¬ 
cially in people of studious lives and sedentary 
employments. 

Before dismissing the subject of costiveness, it 
is proper to remark, that, like many other disor¬ 
ders, it is occasioned by various remote causes, 
and, therefore, requires different means to obviate 
or cure it. 

It is frequently owing to a relaxed and debilitated 
state of the alimenUiry canal: in which case, the 
cold bath, injections of cold water, port wine, 
and bitters, especially the quassia and Colombo 
root, with the bark, prove a cure. It is, some¬ 
times, occasioned by the drink or food, and by 
other exciting causes, which should always be 
searched out, and, if possible, removed. 

Persons who become costive under a free per- 

* A common clyster may be made of half a pint of new milk or 
linseed tea, with a spoonful of oil, fat, or butter, and as much 
common salt; to which the same quantity of starch, molasses, or 
brown sugar may be occasionally added. 

Various additions may be usefully made to injections in different 
diseases: to point out which is not within my present plan. 

The use of clysters is not confined merely to evacuating the rec¬ 
tum, but injections of broth, and other nutritious liquids, may be 
successfully administered to support life for a considerable time, 
^vhen little or no aliment can be taken by the mouth. 

Tor this last purpose, a syringe is greatly prefcrablc» 


n 


KETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. I 99 

spiration, either by wearing flannel, hard labour,, 
or other means, will find an advantage in the fre¬ 
quent use of the cold bath. 

One or two causes of costiveness remain yet 
be mentioned. 

Persons who are in the frequent practice of takr- 
ing opium, and other astringent medicines, are 
generally constipated. The prevention here, as in 
most other cases, consists in avoiding the cause; 
or, when their use is indispensable, in intermixing 
those of an opposite quality. 

Another cause is, the pressure of the uterus in 
pregnant women,. who> above all others, ought to 
be attentive to preserve an open state of their 
bowels by a cooling, laxative diet; and to avoid 
purgatives of an acrid, irritating, and drastic na¬ 
ture: which care is more particularly necessary for 
such as are subject to an hemorrhoidal aflection. 

I know' a person, on whom the sight of w ater, 
when going to bathe, almost always has the eflect 
of producing a stool. Is not this, as well as its 
diuretic operation, a general consequence on most 
people I 

** The motion of the intestines may be either too 
great, or too little; and hence proceeds either cos¬ 
tiveness or looseness. The former is frequently not 
to be accounted morbid; but, when it is, it may 
arise from the structure of the intestines being in¬ 
jured, or, from tlieir being shut up, or obstructed 
by spasm, or otherwise; or, from a deficiency of 
those humours which moisten the intestines; or, it 
may arise from mere debility, from a palsy of the 
fibres, perhaps; or, from a deficiency of the usual 
stimulus of the bile, for instance; or, from too 
dry or slender a diet. 

The consequences of long-continued costiver 


€00 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONST. 

ness are, first, an affection of the alimentary canal; 
and, then, of the whole body. The stomach is 
diseased, and does not digest the aliments properly; 
the whole body is left destitute of its usual stimulus; 
the blood is corrupted, perhaps, from the resorp¬ 
tion of the putrid matter into it. Tlie circulation 
through the abdominal viscera is impeded; lienee, 
frequent and irregular congestions, varices of the 
veins, hemorrhoids, &c. IN ay, the intestines them¬ 
selves being overloaded, distended, and irritated 
by an heavy, acrid, and putrid load of aliment or 
other matters, are excited to new and unusual con¬ 
tractions; which, if they do not get the better of 
the obstruction, bring on tormina, colic, or an 
iliac passion, inflammation, and gangrene, fatal 
in a very short time. 

Costiveness is, sometimes, occasioned by de¬ 
bility in dyspeptic persons; sometimes, it is the 
effect of rigidity; and, sometimes, it is sympto¬ 
matic of the colic. It may proceed from an ex¬ 
cessive heat of the liver; drinking rough red wines, 
or other astringent liquors; too much exercise, 
especially on horseback. It may, likewise, pro¬ 
ceed from a long use of cold insipid food, which 
does not sufficiently stimulate the intestines. Some¬ 
times, it is owing to the bile not descending to the 
intestines, as in the jaundice; and, at other times, 
it proceeds from diseases of the intestines them¬ 
selves, as a palsy, spasms, tumors, a cold dry 
state of the intestines, 6cc. 

Excessive costiveness is apt to occasion pains 
of the head, vomiting, colics, and other com¬ 
plaints of the bowels. It is particularly hurtful to 
hypochondriac and hysteric persons, as it generates 
wind and other distressing symptoms. 

Persons who are generally costive^ should live 


IIETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


201 


upon a moistening and laxative diet^ as roasted or 
boiled apples,, pears, stewed prunes, raisins, gruels 
with currants, butter, honey, sugar, and suchlike. 
Broths, with spinage, leeks, and other soft pot¬ 
herbs, are, likewise, proper. Rye-bread, or that 
which is made of a mixture of wheat and rye to¬ 
gether, ought to be eat. No pei son troubled with 
costiveness should eat white bread alone, especially, 
that which is made of line flour. The best bread 
for keeping the belly soluble, is what, in some 
parts of England, they call meslin. It is made 
of a mixture of wheat and rye, and is very agreea¬ 
ble to those who are accustomed to it. 

Costivenesa is increased by keeping the body 
too warm, and by every thing that promotes the 
perspiration; as wearing flannel, lying too long 
a-bed, &c. Intense thought, and a sedentary life, 
are, likewise, hurtful. All the secretions and ex¬ 
cretions are promoted by moderate exercise without 
doors, and by a gay, cheerful, sprightly temper 
of mind. 

The drink should be of an opening quality. 
All ardent spirits, austere and astringent wines, as 
port, claret, 8cc. ought to be avoided. Malt-li¬ 
quor that is fine and of a moderate strength, is 
very proper. Buttermilk, whey, and other watery 
liquors are, likewise, proper, and may be drunk in 
turns, as the patient’s inclination directs. 

Those who are troubled with costiveness ought, 
if possible, to remedy it by diet, as the constant 
use of medicines for that purpose is attended with 
many inconveniences; and, often, with bad con¬ 
sequences. In time, the custom becomes neces¬ 
sary, and generally ends in a total relaxation of 
the bowels, indigestion, loss of appetite, wasting 
ef the strength, and death, 


ilETENTiONS AND EXCRETIONS. 



Tiie leariied Dr. Arbuthuot advises those who 
are troubled with costiveness to use animal oils, as 
iicsh butter, cream, marrow, fat broths, He, 
likewise, recommends, the expressed oils of mild 
vegetables, as olives, almonds, pistaches, and the 
fruits themselves; all oily and mild fruits, as figs; 
decoctions of mealy vegetables; these lubricate 
the intestines; some saponaceous substances which 
stimulate gently, as honey, hydromel, or boiled 
honey and water, unrefined sugar, &.C. 

The Doctor observes, that such lenitive sub¬ 
stances are proper for persons of dry atrabilariaii 
constitutions, who are subject to astriction of the 
belly and the piles, and will operate when stronger 
medicinal substances are sometimes ineffectual ; but, 
that such lenitive diet hurts those whose bowels are 
weak and lax. He, likewise, observes, that all 
watery substances are lenitive; and', that evea 
common water, whey, sour milk, and buttermilk, 
have that effect; that new milk, especially asses' 
milk, stimulates still more when it sours on the sto¬ 
mach; and, that whey, turned sour, will purge 
strongly; that most part of fruits are, likewise, 
laxative; and, that some of them, as grapes, will 
tlirow such as take them immoderately, into a cho¬ 
lera morbus, or incurable diarrhoea, 

W hen the body cannot be kept open without 
medicine, gentle doses of rhubarb may be taken 
twice or thrice a-week. This is not near so injuri¬ 
ous to the stomach as aloes, jalap, or the other 
drastic purgatives so much in use. Infusions of 
senna and manna may, likewise, be taken; or, 
half an ounce of tartarized alkali dissolved in wa¬ 
ter-gruel. x4bout the size of a nutmeg of lenitive 
electuary, taken twice or thrice a-day, generally 
answers the purpose very well." 

I!,ncyclop, Britann, 


P.ETENTIO'NS AND EXCRETIONS. 203 


*'•' lii healthy individuals^ the evacuation by stool 
usually takes place once or twice a-day; and, ac¬ 
cording to the habits of the person^ either in the 
morning or evening. Those who are troubled with 
costiveness^ should visit the customary retreat^ re¬ 
gularly every morning at a fixed hour; and thus, 
endeavour to promote this necessary evacuation by 
proper efforts, though they may not, at the mo¬ 
ment, feel much inclination ; for, it is well found¬ 
ed, on experience, that nature, at length, will be. 
habituated, by perseverance, to observe a certain 
regulai'ity in this respect. The most proper time 
for these attempts is, early in the morning, or late 
in the evening. 

Although these trials should repeatedly fail, 
we must not be discouraged from persevering in 
them ; nor, ought w'e, without absolute necessity, 
to choose any other than the w^onted hour to attain 
the end proposed; so that this, at length, may be¬ 
come the only time, wdien nature shall spontane¬ 
ously assist our endeavours. During these ])racti- 
ces, however, the choice of our diet is of the 
greatest moment, as we can powerfully promote 
the desired end, by living chiefly upon rye-bread, 
spinage, boiled fruit, particularly prunes, decoctions 
of currants, the sweet and emollient vegetables, 
especially the beet root, and occasionally, salted 
meat; the last of wl;ich should be assisted with 
sufficient drink, not of the spirituous kind, but ra¬ 
ther of a mild and aperient nature, such as sweet, 
table beer, wdiey, infusions of malt, apples, pears, 
and the like. 

While too much rest, and a sedentary life, pre¬ 
vent thisspecies ofdaily evacuation, gentle exercise, 
and serenity of mind, seldom fail to promote it. 
Jn many families, costiveness is an habitual and 


204 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


hereditary distemper. Sometimes, too, it originates 
from a weakness of the intestinal canal, brought 
on by diseases, but more frequently from the habit¬ 
ual use of certain substances of food and drink ; 
for instance, the lean flesh of quadrupeds, game, 
the leguminous vegetables, red port wine, strong 
and bitter malt liquor, and the like. Hence, the 
predisposing cause of the complaint should always 
be attended to. If it arise from weakness, red 
wine, bitter ale, and other corroborants, are well 
calculated to eflect a cure. In every instance, 
frequent exercise in the open air is extremely 
useful. 

When the excrements are too dry, and in a 
globular form, they often occasion head-ach, in¬ 
flammation of the eyes, febrile eomplaints, hemorr¬ 
hoids, ruptures, paralytic affections, and,lfrequently, 
produce flatulency and spasms, in persons subject 
to hysterics and hypochondriasis: nay, even the 
suppression of flatulency is extremely dangerous. 
Those who are apt to delay going to stool, expose 
themselves to many serious inconveniences ; and 
when this sensation is lost, it does not usually 
return for some time. The fceces eollected in the 
intestinal canal, powerfully distend it-, give rise to 
the blind hemorrhoids; and, sometimes, even to the 
falling down of the anus; the excrements become 
dry, and their reabsorbed fluid parts irritate and 
vitiate the blood, and produce many obstinate 
distempers. If a person has been costive for seve¬ 
ral days, the inclination to go to stool is, sometimes, 
lost, until restored by artificial means. 

Obstructions and costiveness, of which many 
persons now complain, are owing to a great variety 
of causes ; but chiefly, to our luxurious mode of 
living, and to the custom of making too many 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 20.j 

meals through the day. The time requisite to the 
digestion of a meah cannot be well ascertained, as 
«ome stomachs concoct quickly, and others slowl}^; 
and there is' a remarkable difference in the degrees 
of digestibilit^^-among the various species of food; 
but this may serve as a general rule, that we ought 
never to take a new supply of food till the preced¬ 
ing meal be digested.” Willich. 

It is not easy to comprehend the train of evils 
brought upon the constitution by habitual costive¬ 
ness, except by those who have experienced its 
oppressive effects. 

The stomach and bowels cannot be distended 
beyond a certain degree, without creating pain ; 
but that will be different, at different times, accord¬ 
ing to the sensibility and irritability then existing 
in the habit of body; thus, when preternaturally 
tender, irritable, or inflamed, wind, or ingesta, 
wdiich put them upon the stretch, will occasion in¬ 
tolerable pain, siekness, and oppression; which, 
in their sound state, would produce no such bad 
effects. 

The retention of foeces longer than is natural, 
by distending the alimentary tube, will weaken its 
fibres; and, from the pressure it occasions on the 
contiguous viscera, obstruct the circulation, and 
prevent that free and equal distribution of blood 
through their several vessels, which is necessary to 
support the secretions and maintain health. Those 
which are the most vascular, and sustain the great¬ 
est pressure, by interruption of their functions, 
wdll suffer most; namely, the stomach, liver, and 
mesentery. From the same cause, the blood being 
obstructed in the interior vessels, those sent to the 
superior parts will be overcharged with it, and the 


205 


RETENTIONS x\ND EXCRETIONS. 


head affected with pain, stupor, or giddiness, con¬ 
fusion of ideas, and loss of memoiy. 

The stomach, in particular, is greatl}^ injured 
by costiveness; for, when the alimentary tube pro¬ 
ceeding from it, is ihereby obstructed, it will ne¬ 
cessarily be oppressed and deficient in its office; 
hence, want of appetite and digestion, attended 
with sickness or vomiting; and, frequently, the 
hemorrhoids or piles. 

A costive habit of body may proceed from 
various causes, viz. from a defect, or obstruction 
of bile, or its not being sufficiently exalted to sti¬ 
mulate the intestines, and quicken their expul¬ 
sive motion; from the liberal use of opium, which 
diminishes their irritability and suspends their 
power; or, from the abuse of sudorifics, and dras¬ 
tic purgatives, which rob the intestines of their 
natural moisture; or, astringent and spirituous 
liquors, which contract their vessels and lock it 
up. 

In constipation of the bowels from want of 
bile, or where it is too thin and watery, the herb 
fumitory infused in rennet whey, with a small por¬ 
tion of lixivial salt, will be found an effectual 
medicine; but, in those of cold phlegmatic con¬ 
stitutions, equal parts of* almond soap and aloes 
may be taken in pills with more advantage. Where 
there are thirst and fever, a solution of the crys¬ 
tals of tartar, with a sixth part .of borax, in the 
proportion of one ounce in the whole, to a quart 
of pure water, sweetened with manna or honey, to 
render it palatable, 1 have found a most grateful 
and efficacious, neutral laxative: it is not only 
gently solutive, but also promotes the urinary 
discharge, abates febrile heat, and resists putre¬ 
faction. 


rlETENTlONS A>JB EXCRETIOJ^S. 20 / 


Ill those of plethoric habits^ affected with 
head-ach^ or nausea at stomach; the saline draughts 
will be most proper; and diet of a cooling laxative 
quality should be used by the patient; as that with 
stewed red cabbage, or beet-root, ripe fruits, new 
figs, or raisins, rennet whey, ivith honey, fresh 
wort, soft ale, &c. to which may be added. Seltzer 
water for common drink. 

‘^‘^There is another species of habitual costive- 
ness which has been little attended to, and which 
requires a very different method of treatment. 
This arises from a w^eak debilitated state of the 
bowels, and their w\ant of sufficient expulsive 
powder to discharge their contents. Those who are 
advanced in life, and much reduced in strength 
by preceding illness, are the most subject to this 
malady; in the cure of which, 1 have found large 
and repeated doses of the Peruvian bark, with a 
fourth part of crude tartar, an effectual remedy, 
given in the form of an electuary, wath syrup of 
roses. It seems to act by giving more strength 
and firmness to the fi[)res of the intestinal canal. 

When the bow-els arc w'eak and inactive; rising 
more early in the morning, exercise, the flesh 
brush, and cold batlj, will be found beneficial. 

d o preserve the body in the due exercise of its 
functions, every one who eats plentifully should 
generally have tw^o motions each day; and the 
great Mr. Locke, in his treatise o'n education, 
points out the necessity of this intestinal evacuation 
as greatly contributing to health; towards which 
it will, therefore, be proper for every one, night 
and morning, to solicit the call of nature, till it 
becomes a constant habit; by which means, he 
wdll, in a great measure, avoid the inconvenience 


208 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

of costiveness^ and all its disagreeable conse- 
quences.’^ Leake. 

Costiveness is not the only irregularity of the 
alvine excretions: the bowels are_, likewise, often 
affected with too frequent ejections; and, in ceiv 
tain constitutions, one is not uncommonly alter¬ 
nated with the other. Tlie latter, like the for¬ 
mer, may be owing to a variety of causes; and, 
therefore, may require a difference of treatment. 
When occasioned by similar causes, it is removed 
by the same means; for instance, if it proceed 
from debility, exercise and tonic medicines are in¬ 
dicated; but, if from other causes, these must be 
removed and counteracted. 

There is one kind of diarrhoea or looseness, 
which deserves particular notice: it is occasioned 
by eating aliment of a kind, or more in quantity 
than the stomach can digest; hence, it passes off 
by stool unconcocted, and unassimilated; and 
without nourishing the body. Persons of weak 
digestion should be particular, both in the kind 
and quantity of their food; and ought, by no 
means, to eat what is disagreeable, nor to exceed 
in quantity; which their own experience, 'wilh 
attention, will teach them; and, therefore, I need ; 
not point out. 

. The quantity, of the intestinal evacuations de- ■ 
pends, in part, on some of the others, particularly 
on those of urine and sweat; but the greatest in- , 
fluence and difference are betwixt the two latter. ^ 

A lax is an almost certain consequence of over- ; 
eating, in some persons of good digestions, and| 
sound constitutions: indeed, so generally so, that ] 
they will freely indulge in a full meal, expecting it to , 
be carried off that way; and will even gorge their | 
stomachs in order to purge their bowels: but, 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 209 


though the evacuation be considerable that way^ 
and IS doubtless the inethod which nature takes to 
exonerate herself from the indigesuble burden, yet 
the practice is, by no means, salutary, nor com¬ 
mendable; for, by a frequent repetition and long 
continuance, the stomach loses its tone, and the 
digestion becomes impaired; so that the appetite 
ceases, and dj^speptic symptoms follow, with an 
habitual looseness, continued merely tlirough an 
overdistended and relaxed state of the alimentary 
canal, which frequently requires, and even baffles 
all the astringent and bracing powers of medicine 
to cure. 

It is a fact, that all food taken into the stomach, 
which is not properly digested, will not become 
assimilated to the animal tliiids, but will turn acrid, 
and add little or nothing to the nourishment and 
support of the body: lie nee it passes olf by frequent 
liquid stools. 

Some may think, that frequent and hearty meals 
prevent costiveness; but the res^erse of this is true, 
unless in stomachs which do not properly digest 
the food: and it ought to be an establisiied maxim, 
not to eat a second one, till the first be digested ; 
which, generally, takes about the space of four 
hours. 

Looseness, or diarrhoia, is a malady extremely 
common; being sometimes a primary disease, and 
sometimes only a symptom or an effect of others. 
Sometimes, it is a salutary effort of nature, such 
as the physician ought to imitate and bring on by 
art. It is also familiar to infants, and to people of 
a certain constitution; and to them costiveness is 
very prejudicial. It may arise, in the first place, 
from something taken into the body, or generated 
in the intestines; from a fermentation and corrup- 


210 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


tion of the mass of aliments; from the bile being 
too abundant and acrid; oi\, from blood or pus 
poured into the intestines; from the intestines them¬ 
selves being eroded, or deprived of their natural 
mucus; from the humours being driven from the 
surface of the body towards the inward parts, as 
by cold, especially when applied to the ieet; or, 
from a general corruption of the whole body, as 
in phthisis, hectic, or putrid fever, especially to¬ 
wards the end of these disorders. In fevers, it is 
sometimes salutary, or even puts an end to the dis¬ 
ease altogether; or, at least, renders it milder: more 
Irequently, however, deriving its origin from putres- 
cency, it is of no service, but rather exhausts the 
strength of the patient. A diarrhoea, likewise, al¬ 
most incurable, and often mortal in a short time, fre¬ 
quently arises after the operation for the fistula in 
ano. Some have their intestines so extremely w eak 
and moveable, that, from the slightest cause, sucli 
as catching cold, any violent commotion of the 
mind, 8cc. they are subject to a violent diarrhoea. 
Lastly, whatever be its origin, if it hath continued 
for a long time, the viscera are rendered so weak 
and irritable, that the disease, though often remov¬ 
ed, still returns from the slightest causes, and even 
such as are not easily discovered. 

A diarrhoea proves very pernicious, by hinder¬ 
ing digestion, and the nourislmient of the body; 
for the stomach is commonly affected, and the 
aliments pass through the intestines so quickly, 
that they can neither be properly digested, nor are 
the lacteals able to absorb the chyle from them as 
they go along, Such a violent evacuation is, also, 
hurtful, by exhausting the body, and carrying off 
a great quantity of the nutritious matter from the 
blood. JSieither, indeed, is it only the alimentary 


KETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 211 

mass vvliicli is thrown out sooner than it ought to 
be; but^ at the same time, a great quantity of the 
fluids secreted in the intestines, so that the whole 
body quickly partakes of the debility. 

“ Sometimes, a violent and long continued di¬ 
arrhoea rises to such a height, tiiat the aliment is 
discharged with little or no alteration. Sometimes, 
also, though rarely, from a similar cause, or from 
the obstruction of the mesenteric glands, and its 
other passages into the blood, the chyle itself is 
thrown out, like milk, along with the excrements; 
and this disease is called the fluxus cceliacus.” 

Enci/clop. Britan/K 

If it be our wish to preserve health, we ought 
not only to guard against costiveness, but likewise 
to prevent, by all proper means, too frequent excre¬ 
tions. Copious evacuations of this kind exsiccate 
tlie body, and deprive it of that strength, which 
is necessary to support its exertions. Persons sub¬ 
ject to diarrhoea, cannot be too cautious in the use 
of watery, saline, and easily fermentable articles 
of food and drink; and, in avoiding violent fits 
of anger and other passions. On the contrary, 
they will promote their health, by using provisions 
of a drying nature, drinking a well-fermented bit¬ 
ter beer or ale; or, if they can afford it, good old 
wine; ail of which have the beneficial tendency 
to promote perspiration, and, thus, prevent super¬ 
fluous humidity in the body. 

Loose and frequent stools are common with 
those who take more aliment than their stomachs 
can digest; for the food, from the stimulus occa¬ 
sioned by its corruption in the alimentary canal, 
is too soon ejected, without being duly assimilated. 
Hence, debilitated persons, who eat immoderately, 
generally, are thinner and less muscular than 


^12 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

Others, who observe a regular and temperate diet. 
The stools are a tolerable criterion of the quantity 
and quality of the food we have taken, and whether 
the digestive power be adequate to its concoction: 
for, in weak intestines, the unassimilated matter 
of food turns acrid, and contributes nothing to the 
nourishment of the body. It is not the man who 
takes comparatively little food that can be called 
temperate, but rather that person who makes use 
of no more aliment than he is able to digest. Thin 
and copious stools are a certain proof of indiges¬ 
tion. 

If too copious evacuations proceed from a re¬ 
laxed stale of the intestines, daily exercise is of 
considerable efficacy; for the fibres of the whole 
body are thereby invigorated, and, if irritating or 
peccant humours should be the cause of the com¬ 
plaint, nothing is better calculated to expel them 
by perspiration, urine, or stool, than spirited and 
persevering muscular motion, till the body be tole¬ 
rably fatigued. 

^ It is advisable to use all proper means of keep¬ 
ing, if possible, this important excretion in due 
regularity; and, to attain that desirable end, it is 
likewise necessary to abandon all strait garments, 
especially laced stays and tight waistbands.” 

Wil/ic/i. 

Habitual diarrhoea occasioned by grief or dis¬ 
tress of mind, by some deemed incurable, is a 
disorder of the bowels directly opposite to the for¬ 
mer. 'Hiis complaint seems plainly to be an atonic 
ati'ection of the bowels, and to proceed from a 
diminution of their nervous power, as well as from 
obstructed perspiration, which generally attends 
it. I am convinced, by experience, that constant 
exercise on horseback, and taking pleasant jour- 


TiKTENTIONS x^NO EXCRETIONS. 


213 


iieys^ with cheerful company, in an open carriage, 
and diy, pure air, when new objects strike the eye, 
and engage the attention, with the use of a flesh 
brusli, and flannel \vorn next the skin, will ahvays 
relieve, and often perfectly cure this obstinate dis¬ 
ease. If the patient has not natural rest, it will 
be proper to direct the camphorated mixture, with 
tincture of opium and antimony, which wall invi¬ 
gorate tlx? nerves, promote perspiration, and pro¬ 
cure sleep.” Leake, 

Section 2. JJj/ Urine, 

This evacuation differs much, both in quantity 
and quality, under different circumstances, being 
much scarcer, and more acrid, in hot weather, 
seasons, and climates, than in cold. 

It is, also, well known, that this discharge is 
much influenced, not only in quantity, but quality, 
by the food and drink taken in. If we live upon 
thin watery food, with plenty of drink, it wall be 
increased, and of a pale colour. If we eat freely 
of vegetables of the alliaceae or garlic tribe; or, 
take medicines of the terebinthinae or turpentine 
class; or, even if they be applied externally and 
plentifully to the body, they will be perceived by 
their smell in the urine. 

Some people will retain their water much longer 
than others; for wdiich reason, no certain time or 
standard can be fixed: it ought not, how^ever, to 
exceed four or five hours in the day-time. 

The practice of retaining the urine too long, 
whether through delicacy, neglect, or necessity, 
is equally injurious and dangerous to health; it be¬ 
ing, sometimes, productive of a total suppression 
of urine, or of a palsy of the bladder, wdiich is 


1214 IlETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

relieved only by the introduction of the catheter. 
Women, owing to the larger size of their bladders, 
are able to retain their water longer, and may, 
with ease and safety, than men. 

A long retention of the urine is thought to fa¬ 
vour a deposition of mucus or sand in the bladder, 
which frequently forms a nucleus for the gravel or 
stone; and, therefore, may, sometimes, lay the 
foundation of that excruciating disorder. 

People may, however, get in a habit of voiding 
it too often, whereby the bladder becomes contract- 
ed,_and loses the power of retaining it a sufficient 
length of time; but this error is much less com¬ 
mon than the former, and more rarely productive 
of bad consequences. 

It is observed, that the feeble and relaxed, and 
such as are affected with hypochondriac and hys¬ 
teric symptoms, pass more urine, and of a paler 
colour, than the robust and vigorous. An excess 
of this dischai-ge is called diabetes, which gene¬ 
ral Iv proves fatal, sooner or later, to the unhappy 
sufferer. 

The connexion between the urine and perspira¬ 
tion is very great, which is clearly proved by the 
increase of the latter diminishing the former, and 
the reverse. 

Although the quantity of urine to be voided 
through the day cannot be accurately ascertained, 
5'et this evacuation ought always to be proportion¬ 
ate to the drink we have taken, and to the degree 
of perspiration. If we perceive a deficiency in 
this discharge, we ought to take moderate exercise, 
to drink light, thin, and acidulated diluents, and 
to eat a variety of such herbs and fruits as possess 
diuretic virtues: of this nature, are parsley, aspa¬ 
ragus, celery, juniper-berries, straw-berries, cher- 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


21o. 


ries^ and the like. We should be careful not to 
retain the urine too long: a practice which would 
occasion relaxation and palsy of the bladder, and 
which might, at length, produce the gravel or stone. 

Many maladies may aiise from voiding too 
small a quantity of urine: hence, the necessity of 
attending to this excretion, from which we may 
frequently discover the cause of the disease. The 
relative state of vigour or debility in the individual, 
the mode of life, more or less drink, dry or damp 
weather, all produce a difference in the quantity ot 
this evacuation. Robust persons eject less urine 
than the debilitated. A copious emission of it is 
always a symptom of a relaxed body, which is 
not possessed of sufficient energy to ex[)^l its noxi¬ 
ous particles by transpiration through the cutaneous 
vessels. 

Among the rules and cautions for the proper 
management of this evacuation, it deserves to be 
remarked, that it is hurtful to make water too often, 
or before a proper quantity of it be accumulated 
in the bladder. By such practice, this vessel gra¬ 
dually contracts into a narrower compass than is 
assigned by nature, and cannot again be easily 
distended. Too long a retention of urine, on the 
contrary, preternaturally enlarges the bladder, 
w^eakens its muscular power, and may, with the 
advancement of age, occasion ischuria, or a total 
suppression; besides which, it promotes a deposi¬ 
tion of mucus and sand in the bladder, and inevi¬ 
tably leads to that troublesome and painful com¬ 
plaint, the stone.” IVil/ich. 

Section 3 . ih/ Perspiration, 

Our health greatly depends on a proper state of 


21G retentions and excretions, 

this excretion. The matter discharged by it being 
of an irritating, acrid nature, frequently produces, 
when obstructed, more or less commotion, or fe¬ 
brile disorder in the system. 

It is judged, by calculation, that the quantity 
discharged this way is about four or five pounds 
weight, in a healthy person, within twenty-four 
hours. 

This evacuation, as well as that of urine, is 
much affected by the different circumstances under 
which we are; it being greater in summer than in 
winter; and it is thought to be less immediately 
after a plentiful meal, than at other times: it is, 
also, lessened by cold, violent pain, and by vari¬ 
ous external applications, which obstruct and clog 
the pores of the skin. 

It is promoted by exercise, warm bathing, clean¬ 
liness, stimulating diaphoretic medicines, and by 
sleeping on feather beds. 

Like the other evacuations, this may be exces¬ 
sive, when it indicates great debility, and should 
be managed with prudence. When too profuse, 
or to the extent of night-sweats, it ought to be 
treated with cold bathing, astringent, and strength¬ 
ening medicines. 

If suppressed, with symptoms of a cold, pain 
in the head, bowels, &c. a gentle purge of rob of 
elder-berries, cream, of tartar, or the like, will be 
suitable, in milder cases, warm diluent drinks, 
weak wine whey, and bathing the feet in warm 
water, with confinement to bed, or a warm room, 
will be found sufficient. 

Most cutaneous disorders and defeedations are 
occasioned by an obstructed perspiration, and by 
want of due attention to this important excretion : 
hence, the necessity and advantage of frequent 


RETENTIONS AND EXtJ RET IONS. 217 

bathing and ablutions: a practice which appears 
to have been much more common in former ages, 
than at the present day. 

It deserves, moreover, to be remarked, and ought 
to be particularly remembered, that an obstructed 
perspiration being reiterated, often excites a cough, 
pain in the side or breast, laborious or accelerated 
respiration, &c: symptoms which not unfrequently 
portend, and usher in the increasing, and, gene¬ 
rally, fatal disease, hectic fever or consumption. 
All, therefore, especially such as are of a phthisi¬ 
cal predisposition or temperament, and are affected 
in that manner; and have reason to fear that con¬ 
sequence, ought to pay the earliest, and strictest 
attention to their situation and health; and, al¬ 
though, at first, they may not be much amiss, yet 
the sequel too often proves, that it would be better 
to begin early to avoid all exciting and increasing 
causes, and to mitigate urgent symptoms as they 
occur; to describe which, is not my present pro¬ 
vince. 

Persons subject to periodical pain or hieniorr- 
hages, frequently suffer an attack by obstructed 
perspiration; which should, therefore, in those 
cases, always be prevented, if possible; and, if ip 
take place, it ought to be gently promoted by 
proper means. Those persons who perspire or 
sweat freely through the soles of their feet, should 
be particularly careful not to check that discharge 
by any means, but should, every night, before go¬ 
ing to bed, warm and dry them well. 

From a suppression of any of the secretions^ 
or a disorder of any of the secretory organs, many 
mischiefs may arise. A diminutioq of perspiration 
produces plethora, lassitude, languor, depression 
of mind^ bad digestion, loss of appetite, and event 


218 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 


a general corruption of the humours from the 
retention of such a quantity of putrescent matter. 
The more suddenly the diminution or suppression 
of the perspiration takes place^ the sooner the 
mischief is produced, and the greater it is; not 
only by retaining the matter which ought to be 
thrown out; but by repelling the humours from 
the surface of the body, and directing them to 
other parts: whence, fevers, inflammations, con¬ 
gestions of thO blood, &c. frequently take place. 

Thus, suppression of perspiration may arise 
from many different causes; as from cold suddenly 
applied to the body when very hot; sometimes, 
from very violent passions of the mind; or, from 
spasmodic diseases, as the hysterics, &c. It may 
be suppressed, also, by that kind of constriction 
of the vessels of the skin which is produced by 
various kinds of fevers, the nature of which has 
hitherto been but little known'. 

Excessive perspiration, or sweating, is injuri- 
ous by debilitating the body, relaxing the skin, 
and exposing the patient to all the evils which 
arise from catching cold. It may even be carried 
to such a height as to produce fainting and death; 
though it must be owned, that we cannot easily 
bring examples of people having, from this cause, 
their blood inspissated, corrupted, or being thence 
.made liable to inflammation and fevers.” 

Enci/clop. Britann. 

Of all the natural evacuations, none is so im¬ 
portant and extensive; none is carried on with less 
interruption; and none frees the body from so 
many impurities, particularly from acrid and thin 
humours, as insensible perspiration. The health of 
man chiefly depends on the proper state of this 
function : the irregularities occurring in it, occasir- 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 219 

onally produce peevishness of temper, head-acb, 
disturbed sleep, heaviness in the limbs, &c.; and, 
on the contrary, we find ourselves most lively 
and vigorous when it is duly and uniformly per¬ 
formed. 

Most of the febrile diseases arise from a sup¬ 
pressed perspiration; as the exuded matter is of an 
acrid and irritating nature. To transpire benefici¬ 
ally, means, that the impure and pernicious par¬ 
ticles only be ejected, in which case, the perspira¬ 
tion is invisible and imperceptible. This is so 
essential a requisite, that, without it, the health of 
the individual cannot long subsist. The reciprocal 
connexion between the functions of the stomach 
and of perspiration, is so obvious, that, if the 
latter be checked, the former is immediately affect^ 
ed; and the reverse takes place, if the stomach be 
disordered.” JVillich. 

Perspiration is, also, absolutely necessary in 
the animal economy, for purifying the mass of 
blood, and discharging it of a number of useless 
heterogeneous particles, which might corrupt it. 
Hence, it is, that upon a stoppage of the usual 
perspiration, there arise so many indispositions, 
particular!}^ fevers, agues, rheums, &c. Too much 
perspiration occasions weakness, swoonings, sud¬ 
den death ; too little, or none at all, occasions the 
capillary vessels to dry, wither, and perish. 
Hence, also, the larger emunctories come to be 
obstructed; hence, the circulation is disturbed, 
sharp humours retained; and, hence, putridity, 
crudity, fevers, inflammations, and imposthumes. 

Perspiration is influenced by the passions of 
the mind. Thus, anger and joy increase, and 
fear and sadness lessen both perspiration and urine. 
Anger causes a strong motion in the membranes of 


220 HETENTiONS AND EXCRETIONS.. 

the hearty and quickens its contraction and dilata¬ 
tion; and, thereby, quickens the contraction and 
dilatation of the blood-vessels and secerning ducts; 
and, of consequence, increases the discharges of 
perspiration and urine; and that, more or less, in 
proportion to the strength or continuance of the 
passion. Joy affects these discharges in like man¬ 
ner as anger. In the passions of fear and sorrow, 
perspiration and urine are lessened, by the depres¬ 
sion of the activity of the soul under those pas¬ 
sions.” Hairs Enci/clop. 

Section 4. Bp the Saliva or Spittle, 

Besides the excretions above mentioned, there* 
'tire others, which, although not of equal quantity, 
have a considerable share in the health of the 
body. These ai'e, 1. The saliva or spittle; which 
.is not intended by nature to be directly or immedi¬ 
ately excreted out of the body, but first to prepare 
and soften the food for concoction or digestion in 
the stomach.* It is accordingly thrown out in the 
largest quantity during mastication, when most 
wanted for that purpose: hence, the impropriety 
of spitting out the saliva, either through an indeli¬ 
cate and unnecessary habit, or the practice of using 
tobacco; which, besides the uncleanliness, trou¬ 
ble, and expense attending it, creates, it is appre- 

* As, how'ever, the saliva has been thought to absorb infectious 
ttiiasma, it may be safest not to swallow it whilst in rooms of the 
sick infected with contagious or pestilential diseases ; but rather to 
chew some aromatic substances that will promote a gentle discharge 
of it, such as sage, cinnamon, myrrh, calamus, orange peel, or the 
like. It is owing, it is apprehended, more to this excretion of the 
spittle, than to any preventive power in the remedies employed, 
that some persons have, whilst chewing tobacco, or certain other 
substances, been preserved from taking the plague, and other corn^ 
tsigious diseases. 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 2S1 

bended, as many disorders as it cures. And here 
it may not be improper to make some remarks, and 
to adduce some authorities respecting the use of 
that article. Those who practise this unpleasant 
and nauseous custom, commonly use it either im¬ 
mediately before, or after meals; which is, of all 
others, the most improper time; for the spittle is 
then most wanted in the mastication and digestion 
of the food. Those who judge it necessary to 
smoke immediately after a hearty meal, ought to 
eat sparingly, and to avoid oily, rich sauces, and 
all high-seasoned meats, particularly those termed 
made-dishes. 

I do not say, that tobacco is an useless medicine; 
for, I believe it to be an efficacious and powerful 
one, when necessarily and properly used as such; but 
it will, doubtless, be admitted, that its medicinal 
use is far less general than its habitual; and that, 
by the latter, the former is much lost. When it 
is used, it is best adapted for persons of gross, cor¬ 
pulent, and phlegmatic habits; and for those who 
labour under catarrhal and asthmatic complaints, 
more especially in cold damp weather. 

Snuffing has, sometimes, been thought to be 
useful in disorders of the nose and eyes; but its 
long-continued and habitual use rarely fails to in¬ 
jure those parts, clog the head, and, sometimes, 
even to impede respiration, and impair the voice 
and memory. The appetite for tobacco is never 
natural, but wholly artificial or habitual; agree¬ 
able to a general law of nature, which reconciles 
most customs and habits to us by use, that were, 
at first, disagreeable. 

It has been observed, when the spittle has been 
discharged by accidental means, and has been 
prevented from passing into the stomach with the 
U2 


222 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

food, that the digestion became impaired, and the 
body emaciated; which farther shews its indispen¬ 
sable use, and the impropriety of the habit of 
ejecting it. 

Some, wishing to retain their favourite practice 
of chewing or smoking tobacco; and fearing the 
evil consequences of ejecting their saliva, are in 
the habit of swallowing it, as at other times; but 
this is, by no means, advisable or safe for all pei> 
sons; for it being of a narcotic nature, its long- 
eontinued use may have the same effect on the 
stomach and digestive organs, as opium and other 
medicines of that kind. And the experience of 
the most eminent physicians has accordingly rank¬ 
ed its liberal or excessive use among the causes 
of dyspepsia or indigestion, w^hich has now become 
So common a disease. 

The oil of tobacco is of so active and virulent a 
"nature, that a few drops of it have proved fatal. 

Whenever the saliva is lavishly spit away, we 
remove one of the strongest causes of hunger and 
digestion. The chyle prepared without this fluid, 
is depraved, and the blood is vitiated for want 
of it. I once tried an experiment on myself, by 
spitting out all my saliva. The consequence w’^as, 
that I lost my appetite. Hence, w^e see the per¬ 
nicious effects of chewing and smoking tobacco. 
I am of opinion, that smoking tobacco is very 
pernicious to lean and hypochondriacal persons, by 
destroying their appetite and weakening digestion. 
When this celebrated plant was first brought into 
use in Europe, it was cried up for a certain anti¬ 
dote to hunger; but it was soon observed, that the 
number of hypochondriacal and consumptive peo¬ 
ple were greatly increased by its use.” Boerhaave. 

The saliva should not be confounded with 
mucus, or slime: the former is a fluid not intended 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 225 

by nature to be evacuated^ as it serves the import¬ 
ant purpose of mixing and preparing the food for 
the stomach; hence^ it ought not to be unnecessa¬ 
rily wasted by frequent spitting: the latter^ mucus^ 
may be safely thrown out as burdensome and offen¬ 
sive. The absurd custom of smoking tobacco is 
extremely prejudicial, as it weakens the organs of 
digestion, deprives the body of many useful fluids, 
and has a direct tendency to emaciation, particu¬ 
larly in young persons, and those of lean and dry 
fibres. To these, it is the more detrimental, as it 
promotes not only the spitting of saliva, but like¬ 
wise other evacuations. This plant is possessed of 
narcotic properties, by which it produces, in those 
who first begin to smoke it, giddiness, cold sweats^ 
vomiting, purging; and, from its stimulus on the 
salival glands, a copious flow of the saliva. 

Frequent smoking makes the teeth yellow and 
black; while clay-pipes are apt to canker them to 
such an alarming degree as to infect the breath, 
and produce putrid ulcers in the gums. Delicate 
persons, especially, suffer from this nauseous ha¬ 
bit; as it has a direct tendency not only to exsic¬ 
cate their bodies, by contaminating the fluids; ren¬ 
dering them acrid; and vitiating the digestion and 
assimilation of food; but, likewise, to impair the 
mental faculties. These effects, however, are less 
to be apprehended, if smoking has become habi- 
tual> and is not carried to excess. To persons of 
a middle age, or those of full growth, particularly 
the corpulent, the phlegmatic, and such as are 
subject to catarrhal complaints, it may occasionally 
be of service, if used with moderation, especially 
in damp, cold, and hazy weat;her. Yet such per¬ 
sons ought never to smoke immoderately before or 
after a meal, as the saliva is materially requisite to 
assist the concoction of food, which is not accom- 


^24 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS, 

plished till about three or four hours after dinner: 
they should smoke slowly; frequently drink small 
draughts of beer, ale, tea, or any other diluent li¬ 
quors; but neither spirits, nor wine; and, lastly, 
they should use a clean pipe with a long tube; for 
the oil of tobacco settling on the sides of the pipe 
is one of the most acrimonious and hurtful sub¬ 
stances, and may thus be absorbed, and mixed 
with the fluids of the body. 

The remarks made with respect to the saliva 
and smoking, are also applicable to the mucus of 
the nose, and the custom of taking snufl*. The 
question here is not respecting that catanhal secre¬ 
tion of viscid slime, which is ejectec^ as useless. 
Sntiff stimulates the membrane of the nose, and, 
sympathetically, the whole body; by wdiich, the^ 
mental powers are, in a slight degree, affected. 
If used as a medicine only, and on occasions that 
require such a stimulus, it may be productive of 
some advantage; but a liquid sternutatory deserves 
every preference to a powder, which, though at 
first stimulating and occasioning a flow of viscous 
matter, in the end, always obstructs the nostrils. 
And if this stimulus be too violent, it may bring 
on so profuse a discharge of matter from the deli¬ 
cate membrane lining the nose, as to relax and 
corrode it, and to produce a polypjus, or a concre¬ 
tion of clotted blood in the nostrils. 

In several diseases of the head, eyes, and ears, 
however^ the taking of snuff may occasionally 
supply the place of an artificial issue; though an 
extravagant use of it will most certainly produce 
a contrary effect; namely, an accumulation of 
matter in the head, bleeding of the nose, and 
other complaints. Farther, it would be extremely 
-Injudicious to advise the use of snuff to persons of 


RETENTION S AND EXCRETIONS. 0 , 0,3 

a phthisical constitution^ or those afflicted with 
internal ulcers, and subject to spitting of blood; as, 
by the violent sneezing it at first occasions, such 
individuals might expose themselves to imminent 
danger. Public speakers of every kind, as well 
^as teachers of languages, and, in short, all those 
to whom a clear and distinct articulation is of con¬ 
sequence, ought to avoid this habit, which, when 
carried to excess, is, in this respect, extremely 
prejudicial. Those, too, who have a regard for 
cleanliness, will not accustom themselves to this 
hurtful practice. In short, the continual use of 
snuff gradually vitiates the organs of smell, weak¬ 
ens the faculty of sight, by withdrawing the hu¬ 
mours from the eyes, impairs the sense of hearing, 
renders breathing difficult, depraves the palate, 
and, if taken too freely, falls into the stomach, 
and, in a high degree, injures the organs of di¬ 
gestion. 

Besides^ the many bad effects already men¬ 
tioned, taking snuff may be attended with another 
consequence, equally dangerous to the alimentary 
canal. While the nose is continually obstructed, 
and a free respiration is impeded, the habitual 
snuff-taker generally breathes through the mouth 
only: he is always obliged to keep his mouth partly 
open, and, consequently, to inspire more frequently, 
and with greater efforts. Thus, by inhaling too 
much air, he probably lays the foundation of that 
troublesome flatulency which is common among 
those hypochondriacs who habitually take snuff. 
Hence, every person, unless good reasons can be 
assigned in favour of it, ought to be seriously dis¬ 
suaded from the use of snuff, as well as of tobacco: 
and it deserves to be remarked, that both these 
practices may be safely, and cannot be too siid- 


226 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

denly relinquished, as soon as reason prevails over 
sensual gratifieations.” Willick. 

We have been told, that tobacco, when chew¬ 
ed, is a preservative against hunger; but this is a 
vulgar error; for, in reality, it may more properly 
be said to destroy appetite by the profuse discharge 
of saliva, which has already been considered as a 
powerful dissolving fluid, essential both to appetite 
and digestion. 

in smoking, the fumes of tobacco induce a 
kind of pleasing insensibility, not easily described. 
Its narcotic odour, thus administered, equally in¬ 
fatuates the ignorant savage, and the intelligent 
philosopher; but, by the large expense of saliva 
thereby occasioned, it is productive of many dis¬ 
orders of the head and stomach, particularly the 
last.’^ Leake, 

In no one view, is it possible to contemplate 
the creature man in a more absurd and ridiculous 
light, than in his attachment to tobacco. This 
weed is of a stimulating nature, whether it be used 
in smoking, chewing, or in snuff. Like opium 
and spirituous liquors, it is sought for in all those 
cases where the body is debilitated indirectly by 
intemperance in eating, or by excessive applica¬ 
tion to study, or business, or directly by sedative 
passions of the mind, particularly by grief and 
fear. 

The progress of habit in the use of tobacco is 
exactly the same as in the use of spirituous liquors. 
The slaves of it begin b}’ using it only after dinner; 
then during the whole afternoon and evening; 
afterwards, before dinner; then before breakfast; 
and, finally, during the whole night. I knew a 
lady who had passed through all these stages, who 
used to wake regularly two or three times every 


ilETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 227 

night to compose her system with fresh closes of 
snuff. Again^ the progress in the decay of the 
sensibility of the nose to the stimulus of snufl’ is 
analogous to the decay of the sensibility of the 
stomach to the stimulus of spirituous lic^uors. It 
feels, for a while, the action of rappee; next, it 
requires Scotch snuff; afterwards, Irish black¬ 
guard; and, finally, it is affected only by a com¬ 
position of tobacco and ground glass. This mix¬ 
ture is to the nose, what Cayenne pepper and 
Jamaica spirits are to the stomachs of habitual 
dram-drinkers. 

The appetite for tobacco is wholly artificial. 
No person was ever born with a relish for it. Even 
in those persons who are much attached to it, na¬ 
ture frequently recovers her disrelish to it. It ceases 
to be agreeable in every febrile indisposition. This 
is so invariably true, that a disrelish to it is often a 
sign of an approaching, and the return of the ap¬ 
petite for it, a sign of a departing fever. 

1. It impairs the appetite. Where it does not 
produce this effect, 2. It prevents the early and 
complete digestion of the food; and, thereby, in¬ 
duces distressing and incurable diseases, not only 
of the stomach, but of the whole body. This 
effect of tobacco is the result of the waste of the 
saliva in chewing, and smoking, or of the tobacco 
insinuating itself into the stomach, when used in 
chewing or snuffing. I once lost a young man of 
seventeen years of age, of a pulmonary consump¬ 
tion, whose disorder was brought on by the intem¬ 
perate use of segars. 

^^3. It produces many of those diseases which 
are supposed to be seated in the nerves. The late 
Sir John Pringle was subject, in tiie evening of 
his life, to-tremors in his hands. In his last visit 


228 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

to France, a few years before he died, in company 
with Dr. Franklin, he was requested by the Doc¬ 
tor to observe, that the same disorder was very 
common among those people of fashion who were 
great snuffers. Sir John was led by tins remark, 
to suspect that his tremors were occasioned by 
snuff, which he took in large quantities. He im¬ 
mediately left off taking it, and soon afterwards 
recovered the perfect use of his hands. I have 
seen head-ach, vertigo, and epilepsy produced by 
the use of tobacco. 

4. A citizen of Philadelphia lost all his teeth 
by drawing the hot smoke of tobacco into his 
mouth, by means of a short pipe. 

5. Tobacco, when used in the form of snuff, 
seldom fails of impairing the voice by obstructing 
the nose. It, moreover, imparts to the complexion 
a disagreeable dusky colour. 

But the use of tobacco has been known to 
produce a more serious effect upon the mind, than 
the distress that has been mentioned. Sir John 
Pringle’s memory was impaired by snuff. This was 
proved by his recovering the perfect exercise of it 
after he left off taking snuft‘, agreeably to the ad¬ 
vice of his friend Dr. Franklin. 

In answer to these observations upon the mor¬ 
bid effects of tobacco, it has been said, 

1. That it possesses many medical virtues. I 
grant it; and the facts which establish its utility in 
medicine, furnish us with additional arguments 
against the habitual use of it. How feeble would 
be the effects of opium and bark upon the body, 
if they constituted a part of the condiments of our 
daily food. While I admit the efficacy of tobacco 
as a medicine, I cannot help adding, that some of 
the diseases, or symptoms of diseases which it rc-? 


DETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 2^9 

lieves, are evidently induced by the habit of using 
it. Thus^ a dram of ardent spirits suspends^ for 
a while^ a vomiting, and tremors of the hands: 
but, who does not know, that those complaints 
are the effects of the intemperate and habitual use 
of spirituous liquor's? 

2. The advocates for tobacco tell us, that 
smoking and snuff relieve that uneasiness which 
succeeds a plentiful meal. I admit, that the sti¬ 
mulus of tobacco restores the system from the in¬ 
direct weakness which is induced by intemperance 
in eating; but the relief which is thus obtained, 
illy compensates for the waste of the saliva in 
smoking, at a time when it is most wanted; or for 
the mixture of a portion of the tobacco with the 
aliment in the stomach by means of snuffing. But 
why should we cure one evil by producing another ? 
Would it not be much better to obviate the neces¬ 
sity of using tobacco by always eating a moderate 
meal? The recollection of the remedy probably 
disposes to that intemperance in eating which pro¬ 
duces the uneasiness that has been mentioned. 

3. We are soriietinies told, that tobacco is a 
preservative from contagious diseases. But many 
facts contradict this assertion. Mr. Howard in¬ 
forms us, that it had no efficacy in checking the 
contagion of the plague; and repeated experience 
in Philadelphia has proved, that it is equally inef¬ 
fectual in preserving those who use it, from the 
influenza and yellow Fever. 

One of the usual effects of smoking and chew¬ 
ing, is thirst. This thirst cannot be allayed by wa¬ 
ter; for no sedative, or even insipid liquor, will be 
relished after the mouth and throat have been ex¬ 
posed to the stiitlulus of the smoke or juice of to¬ 
bacco. A desire, of course, is excited for strong 
X 


230 RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 

drinks; and these, when taken beUveen meals, 
soon lead to intemperance and drunkenness. One 
of the greatest sots I ever knew, acquired a love 
for ardent spirits by swallowing cuds of tobacco, 
which he did to escape detection in the use of it; 
for he had contracted the habit of chewing 
contrary to the advice and commands of his 
father. He died of a dropsy under my care in the 
year 1.7 BO. 

In .reviewing the account that has been given 
of the disagreeable and mischievous effects of to¬ 
bacco, we are led to inquire, what are its uses upon 
our globe; for we are assured, that nothing exists 
ih vain. Poison is a relative term, and the most 
noxious plants have been discovered to afford sus¬ 
tenance to certain animals. But what animal, 
besides man, will take tobacco into its mouth ? 
Horses, cows, sheep, cats, dogs, and even hogs 
refuse to taste it. Flies, moschetoes, and the 
motli, are chased from our clothes by the smell of 
it. But let us not arraign the wisdom and economy 
of nature in the production of this plant. Modern 
travellers have at length discovered, that it con¬ 
stitutes the food of a solitary and filthy wild beast, 
w^ell known in the deserts of j^frica, by the name 
of the Rock-goat.” Rush. 

2. The hile and pancreatic juice are both ne¬ 
cessary to be duly secreted and excreted into 
the alimentary canal. An obstruction of the for¬ 
mer is often occasioned by violent fits of ahger, 
as already mentioned under that head; and is 
well known to produce the jaundice. When the 
flow of the latter is interrupted, it tends to pro¬ 
duce a scirrhosity, or an induration of the part 
that separates it. 


RETENTIONS AND EXCRETIONS. 23i 

Tiiere are several other secretions and excre¬ 
tions which occasionally require attention in pre¬ 
serving health: namely, the mucus of the nose; 
of the wind-pipe; the milk; the semen; and 
the wax of the ears; but, for which, I do not 
intend a particular consideration in this work. 


CHAPTER IX. 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS ON TN3 
MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH, 
AND PREVENTING DISEASES. 



Section 1. Rules for the management (^' 
Valetudinarians. 

<( rx-1 

X HAT part of the medical system which lays 
down rules for the preservation of health, and 
prevention of diseases, termed hygieine, is not to 
be strictly understood, as if it respected only those 
people who enjoy perfect health, and who are un- 
del* no apprehensions of disease; for such seldom 
either desire or attend to medical advice; but 
should rather be considered as relating to valetudi¬ 
narians, or to such as, though not actually sick, 
may yet have sufficient reason to fear that they 
will soon become so: hence it is, that the rules 
must be applied to correct morbific dispositions, 
and to obviate the various things that were shown 
to be the remote or possible causes of diseases. 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS, &C. 233 

From the way in which the several tempera¬ 
ments are mentioned by systematic writers, it 
should seem as if they meant, that every particu¬ 
lar constitution must be referred to one or other of 
the four; but this is far from being reducible to 
practice; since, by much the greater number of 
people have constitutions so indistinctly marked, 
that it is hard to say to which of the temperaments 
they belong. 

When we actually meet with particular per¬ 
sons who have evidently either, 1. Too much 
strength and rigidity of fibre, and too much sensi¬ 
bility; 2. Too little strength, and yet too much; 
sensibility; 3. Too much strength, and but little 
sensibilitj"; or, 4 . But little sensibility, joined to 
tveakness; we should look on such persons as more 
or less in the valetudinary state, who require, 
that these morbific dispositions be particularly 
watched, lest they fall into those diseases which 
are allied to the different temperaments. 

People of the first-mentioned temperament 
being liable to suffer from continued fevers, espe¬ 
cially of the inflammatory species, their scheme 
of preserving health should consist in temperate 
living, with respect both to diet and exercise. 
They should studiously avoid immoderate drinking, 
and be remarkably cautious lest any of the natural 
discharges be checked. People of this habit bear 
evacuations well, especially bleeding: they ought 
not, how^ever, to lose blood but when they really 
require to have the quantity lessened; because, loo 
much of this evacuation would be apt to reduce 
tlie constitution to the second-mentioned tempera¬ 
ment, wherein strength is deficient, but sensibility' 
redundant. 

Iversons of the second temperament are re^ 
X-2- 


234 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS, &€. 


markablj prone to suffer from painful and spas¬ 
modic diseases, and are easily ruffled; and those 
of the softer sex who have this delicacy of habit, 
are very much disposed to hysterical complaints, 
rhe scheme here should be, to strengthen the solids 
by moderate exercise, cold-bathing, the peruvian 
bark, and chalybeate waiters. Particular attention 
should constantly be had to the state of the digesr 
live organs, to prevent them from being overload¬ 
ed with any species of saburra wfflich might engen¬ 
der flatus, or irritate the sensible membranes of 
the stomach and intestines, from wdience the disor¬ 
der would soon be communicated to the whole 
nervous system. Persons of this constitution should 
never take any of the drastic purges, nor strong 
emetics; neither should they lose blood but in cases 
of urgent necessity. But a principal share of ma¬ 
nagement, in these extremel3^ irritable constitu¬ 
tions, consists in avoiding all sudden changes of 
every sort, especially those with respect to diet, 
and clothing, and in keeping the mind, as much, 
as possible, in a state of tranquillity: hence, the 
great advantages which people of this frame de¬ 
rive from the use of medicinal waters drunk on 
the spot, because of that freedom from care and 
^serious business of every kind, which generally 
obtains in all the places laid out for the reception, 
of valetudinarians. 

The third-mentioned temperament, where 
there is an excess of strength, and but little serr-. 
sibiiity, does not seem remarkably prone to any 
distressing, or dangerous species of disease; and, 
therefore, it can hardly" be supposed, that persons 
so circumstanced wdll either of themselves think of 
any particular scheme of management, or have 
Tecourse to the faculty for their instructions. Such 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS^ &C. 


235: 


constitutions^ however, we may observe, bear all 
kinds of evacuations well, and sometimes require 
them to prevent an overfulness, which might end 
in an oppression of the brain, or some other organ 
of importance. 

But the fourth temperament, where we have 
weakness joined to want of sensibility, is exceed¬ 
ingly apt to fall into tedious and dangerous diseases, 
arising from defect of absorbing power in the proper 
sets of vessels, and from remissness of the circulation 
in general: whence corpulency, dropsy, jaundice, 
and. different degrees of scorbutic affection. In 
order to prevent these, or anj^ other species of 
accumulation and depravation of the animal fluids, 
the people of this constitution should use a gene¬ 
rous kind of diet, with brisk exercise, and be care¬ 
ful that none of the secretions be interrupted, nor 
any of the natural discharges suppressed. These 
constitutions bear purging well, and often require 
it; as, also, the use of emetics^ which are fre¬ 
quently found necessary to supply the place of 
exercise, by agitating the abdominal viscera, and 
are of service to prevent the stagnation of bile, or 
the accumulation of mucous humours, which hin- 
^ler digestion, and clog the first passages. The 
free use of mustard, horse-radish, and the like 
sort of stimulating dietetics, is serviceable in these 
^rpid habits. 

When the general mass of fluids is accumu¬ 
lated beyond what is conducive to the perfection 
of health, there arises what the Writers term a ple¬ 
thora, which may prove the source of different 
diseases; and, therefore, when this overfulness be¬ 
gins to produce languor and oppression, care 
Should be taken in time to reduce the body to a 
proper standard, by abridging the food, and in- 


SUMMARY OBSERYATIONS^ 8CG. 

creasing the natural discharges, using more exer¬ 
cise, and indulging less in sleep. 

But, in opposite circumstances, where the 
fluids have been exhausted, we are to attempt the 
prevention of furtlier waste by the use of strength-' 
ening stomachics, nourishing diet, and indulgence 
from fatigue of body and mind. 

Vitiated fluids are to be considered as affected, 
either with the different kinds of general acrimony, 
or as betraying signs of some of the species of 
morbific matter which give rise to particular 
diseases, such as gout, rheumatism, calculus, 
scurvy, &c. 

During the state of infancy, we may some¬ 
times observe a remarkable acidity, wliich not only 
shews itself in the first passages, but, also, seems 
to contaminate the general mass of fluids. As it 
takes its rise, however, from weak bowels, our 
views, when we mean to prevent the ill consequen¬ 
ces, must be chiefly directed to strengthen the 
digestive organs; as, on their soundness, the pre¬ 
paration of good chyle depends; and, hence, 
small doses of rhubarb and chalybeates, (either 
the natural chalybeate waters mixed with milk, or 
the flores martiales in doses of a few grains, ac¬ 
cording to the age of the child,) are to be adminis¬ 
tered; and the diet is to be so regulated, as not to 
add to this acid tendency. Brisk exercise is, like¬ 
wise, to be enjoined, with frictions on the stomach, 
belly, and lower extremites. 

Where the fluids tend to the putrescent state, 
which shews itself by fetid breath, spunginess, and 
bleeding of the gums, a bloated look, and livid 
cast, the diet then should be chiefly of fresh veget¬ 
ables and ripe fruits, with wine in moderation, brisk 
exeixiise,, and strengthening bitters. 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS^ &C. SS7 

Where acr^oiiy shows itself by itching erup- 
iions, uncommon thirst, and flushing heats, noth¬ 
ing will answer better than such sulphureous waters 
as the Harrowgate and Moffat in Britain, or the 
Lucan and Swadlinbar in Ireland; at the same 
time, using a course of diet that shall be neither 
acrid nor heating. 

So far with respect to those kinds of morbific 
matter which do not invariably produce a particu¬ 
lar species of disease: but there are others of a 
specific nature, some of which are generated iii 
the body spontaneously,, and seem to arise from 
errors in diet, or other circumstances of ill man¬ 
agement with respect to the animal economy^ 
and, hence, it is sometimes possible, in some de¬ 
gree, if not altogether, to prevent the ill conse¬ 
quences. Thus, there are instances where returns 
of the gout have been prevented by adhering 
strictly to a milk diet. 

The rheumatism has, also, sometimes been 
warded off by wearing a flannel shirt, or by using 
the cold bath without interruption. 

Calculus may be retarded in its progress, and 
prevented from creating much distress, by the in¬ 
ternal use of soap and lime-water, hy soap lees 
taken in milk, or in veal broth; or by the use of 
aerated alkaline water, which may, perhaps, be con¬ 
sidered as being both more safe and more efficacious; 
and, at the same time, more pleasant than any of 
the’other pra'ctices. 

The scurvy may be prevented by warm cloth¬ 
ing, and perseverance in brisk exercise; by drink¬ 
ing wine or cider; and by eating freely of such 
vegetable substances as can be had in those situa¬ 
tions where this disease is most apt to show itself. 

In constitutions where there is an hereditary 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS;^ &€. 

disposition to the scrofula^ if early precautions he 
taken to strengthen the solids by cold bathing, a 
nourishing course of diet, and moderate use of 
wine, the acrimony which gives rise to the disease 
will, probably, be prevented from producing any 
very bad effects. 

The otlier kinds of morbific matter, which are 
of a specific nature, are received into the body by 
infection or contagion. 

The infection of a putrid fever or dysentery, is 
best prevented, by immediately taking an emetic 
on the first attack of the sickness or shivering; and, 
if that do not completely answer, let a large blister 
be applied between the shoulders. By this method, . 
the nurses and other attendants on the sick in the 
naval hospitals have often been preserved. As to 
other infectious morbific matter^ we must refer to 
what has already been said when treating of hy¬ 
drophobia, poisons, 8tc. 

The ill effects which may arise from tlie differ¬ 
ent species of saburra, are to be obviated, in ge¬ 
neral, by the prudent administration of emetics, 
and carefully abstaining from such kinds of food 
as are known to cause the accumulation of noxious 
matters in the first passages. 

“ Crude vegetables, milk, butter, and other oily 
substances, are to be avoided by persons troubled 
with a sourness in the stomach. Brisk exercise> 
especially riding, is to be used; and they are to 
refrain from fermented liquors. The eommon 
drink should be pure water; or water with a very 
little of some ardent spirit, such as rum or brandy. 
Seltzer and Vahls water are to be drunk medicin¬ 
ally; and aromatic bitters, infusions, or tinctures, 
with the acid elixir of vitriol, from ten to twenty 
drops, will be found serviceable, in order to 


SUMMARY OBSERVATIONSif&C. 25 ^ 

strengthen the fibres of the stomach, and promote 
the expulsion of its contents, thereby preventing 
the too hasty fermentation of the alimentary >nix- 
ture. In order to procure immediate relief, mag¬ 
nesia alba, or creta preparata, will seldom fail: 
the magnesia, as well as the chalk, may be made 
into lozenges, with a little sugar and mucilage; 
and, in that form, may be carried about and taken 
occasionally by people afflicted with the acid 
saburra. _ 

In constitutions where there is an exuberance 
or stagnation of bile, and a troublesome bitterness 
in the mouth, it is necessary to keep the bowels 
always free, by taking occasionally small doses of 
pure aloes, oleum ricini, cream of tartar, some of 
the cogimon purging salts, or the natural purging 
waters. 

When there is a tendency to the empyreumatic 
and rancid saburra, people should carefully avoid 
all the various kinds of those oily and high-season¬ 
ed things, generally termed made-dishes; and eat 
sparingly of plain meat, without rich sauces, or 
much gravy,- and, in these cases, the most proper 
drink is pure water. 

Section 2. Hides for those who enjoy yerfect 
Health. 

There can be no doubt, that, in general, tem¬ 
perance is the true foundation ot health; and yet, 
the ancient physicians, as we may see in the rules 
laid down by Celsus, did not scruple to recommend 
indulgence now and then, and allowed people to 
exceed, both in eating and^drinking; but it is safer 
to proceed to excess in drink than in meat: and, if 
•the debauch should create any extraordinary or 


240 SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS^ SCC. 

distressing degree of pain or sickness^, and a tem¬ 
porary fever should ensue, there are two ways of 
shaking it olf; either to lie in bed and encourage 
perspiration, or to get on horseback, and, by brisk 
exercise, restore the body to its natural state. The 
choice of these two methods must alw^ays be de¬ 
termined by the peculiar circumstances of the par¬ 
ties concerned, and from the experience which 
they may before have had which agrees best with 
them. 

If a person should commit excess in eating, 
especially of high-seasoned things, with rich 
sauces, a draught of cold water, acidulated with 
vitrolic acid, will take off the sense of weight at 
the Stomach, and assist digestion, by moderating 
and keeping within bounds the alimentary fermen¬ 
tation, and thus preventing the generatiop of too 
much flatus. The luxury of ices may be here of real 
service at the tables of the great, as producing 
similar effects with the cold water acidulated. Per¬ 
sons in these circumstances ought not to lay them¬ 
selves down to sleep, but should keep up and exer¬ 
cise until they are sensible that the stomach is 
unloaded, and that they no longer feel any oppres¬ 
sive weight about the prascordia. 

If a man be obliged to fast, he ought, if pos¬ 
sible, during that time, to avoid laborious work. 
After suffering severe liunger, people ought not, 
at once, to gorge and fill themselves; nor is it 
proper, after being overfilled, to enjoin an absolute 
fast; neither is it safe to rest totallyJmmediately 
after excessive labour; nor suddenly fall hard to 
work after having been long without motion: in a 
word, all changes should be by gentle degrees; for^ 
though the constitution of the human body be such, 
that, it can bear many alterations and irregularities 


SVUYiA&r OBSEU'^ATIONSj Scc. 


mi 

witboiit muc}i clanger^ y-et, when the transitions 
are e.xtrenMily sudden, they cannot tail of produc¬ 
ing some kind or degree of disorder. 

It is> .also, the advice of Celsus, to vary the 
scenes, of life, and not coniine ourselves to any 
settled rules: but, as inaction renders the body 
weak and listless, and exercise gives vigour and 
strength, people should never long omit riding, 
walking., or going abroad in a carnage: or, other 
siniilai' engagements, which afford both exercise 
and amusement, as each shall be found most 
agreeable or convenient, are to be used in their 
turns, according to the circumstances and tendency 
to any particular species of disease. But, when 
the weakness of old age shall have rendered the 
body incapable of ail these, then dry frictions with 
the flesh brush will be extremely requisite to pre¬ 
serve health, by accelerating the flow of humours 
through the smallest orders of vessels, and pre¬ 
venting the fluids from stagnating too long in the 
Cellular interstices of the fleshy parts. 

Sleep is the great restorer of strength; for, 
during this time, the nutritious panicles appear to 
be chiefly applied to repair the waste, and replace 
those tliat have been abraded and washed off by 
tlie labour and exercise of the day; but too much 
indulgence in sleep has many inconveniences, both 
with respect to body and mind, as it blunts the 
senses, and encourages the fluids to stagnate in the 
cellular membrane; whence corpulency, and its 
necessary consequences, languor and weakness. 

The proper time for sleep is the night season^ 
•when darkness and silence naturally bring it on; 
therefore, day-sleep, in general, is not so refresh¬ 
ing; and, to some people, is really distressful, as 
creating an unusual giddiness and languor, espe- 


242 SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS, &G. 

cially in persons addicted to literary pursuits. Cus¬ 
tom, however, frequently renders sleep in the day 
necessary; and, in those constitutions where it is 
found to give real refreshment, it ought to be in¬ 
dulged. 

With regard to the general regimen of diet, 
it has always been held as a rule, that the softer 
and milder kinds of aliment are most proper for 
children and younger subjects; that grown persons 
should eat what is more substantial; and old peo¬ 
ple lessen their quantity of solid food, and increase 
that of their drink.’' Encyclop, Britatm% 


APPENDIX 


CONTAINING, 

OBSERVATIONS 

ON 

bathing, cleanliness, ventilation, AN©‘ 

MEDICAL ELECTRICITY; 

AND, ON 


THE ABUSE OF MEDICINE. 


APPENDIX. 

I HAVE now gone through the several subjects 
that I purposed when i this tieatise; but 

recollecting that there are other particulars which 
have a great share in preserving health, and pre¬ 
venting diseases, I judged that it would not be 
improper to atfd them by way of Appendix to it. 

The subjects to which I allude, are Bathing, 
Cleanliness, Ventilation, and Electricity; and the 
Abuse qf Medicine. 


PART I. 


OBSERVATIONS ON BATHING^ CLEANLINESS, VENTjLAf' 
TJON, AND MEDICAL ELECTRICITT, 



CHAPTER I. 
BATHING. 



Among the vai’ious means used for the cure^- 
as well as for the prevention of diseases, and for 
the preservation of health in general, none is, per¬ 
haps, more useful and salutary, than that of bath¬ 
ing, if lightly understood and conducted. This 
practice appears, both from history, and the re¬ 
mains of ancient baths still existent, to have been 
much more common among the ancient Greeks 
and Romans, than the modern nations of Europe 
and America. It is said to be very common, atr 
the present day,, among the Turks and Egyptians; 
with whom, as well as the former, it is not only 
used with a puritying and medicinal intention, but 
is considered as a species of recreation or pleasur¬ 
able luxury. Indeed, it is said to make, with 
them, as it were, a part of diet, and to be used 
almost as familiarly as eating and sleeping. It is 

¥2 


£46 


BATHING. 


also said, that the practice there is generally fol¬ 
lowed with anointing, or perfuming, or both. 

Without recurring to ancient example and prac¬ 
tice, daily experience now, as well as die consent 
of all modern authors, sufficiently confirms the 
utility and efficacy of bathing, when properly 
applied, both in preventing and curing many dis¬ 
eases, as well as in the preservation of health in 
general. 

Both scripture and medical history mention ancF 
recommend bathing and ablutions in the highest 
terms. Indeed, it is said, that, in some parts of 
the world, the practice of the bath is so common, 
that people no more tliink of going into company, 
or of attending their places of devotion, without 
using it, than with unwashed hands and uncombed 
hair. 

Frequent bathing is not only salutary, by pro¬ 
moting the circulation of the blood, aird a regular 
discharge of the excretions, but it is a principal 
means of conducing to cleanliness, which is an 
important one of preserving health, and prevent- 
4ng diseases. But, as its nature and effects are dif¬ 
ferent, according to the temperature of the water, 
used, it ivill be necessary, before treating further 
on the subject^ to divide it into two general classes, 
1. Cold or cool bathing. 2. Hot or warm bath¬ 
ing. Each of which may be subdivided into two 
other classes: i. Natural; 2. Artificial. For in¬ 
stance, the natural cold or cool bath is cold water, 
either salt or fresh, in its natural state ; and the ar¬ 
tificial is that whicii is rendered colder by the ad¬ 
dition of ice, common salt, alum, nitre, or sal 
ammoniac. And the natural hot or warm bath is 
water as it flows in that state from the bowels of the 
^arth, as those of Bath and Bristol, which are calh 


BATHING. 


^47 


ed hot; and those of Buxton and Matlock, which 
are warm or tepid ; and the artihcial is that which 
is heated to anj degree of heat or warmth we 
please. 

Besides the above division of baths, there are 
various other kinds used in some parts of the worlds 
which go under the name,, such as, 

1. The vapour or sweating-bath, made with the 
steams of hot water or other fluids. This does not 
differ essentiailj,. in its effects, from the hot or 
warm, unless it be accompanied or followed imme¬ 
diately by plunging into cold water or snow, as 
practised by the hardy ilussians. 

2. The dry-bath; w^hich is of two kinds: one con¬ 
sists in confining the patient in a bagnio, or a hot 
room, till a profuse sweating breaks forth: the 
other, in applying hot ashes, salt, sand, or other 
similar substances, till a like effect takes place. 

3. The medicated-bath; which is water impreg¬ 
nated with metallic or medicinal substances, ac¬ 
cording to the nature of the constitution, or of the 
disorder it is intended to prevent or cure. This 
may, also, be either natural or artificial; of the 
former kind, are mineral waters, which are so of¬ 
ten used for bathing, as well as drinking: and of 
the latter, is water in which any substance is dis¬ 
solved or infused for the purpose. 

lb which may now be added, 

4. The aerial or air bath: this consists in expos-' 
ing the body naked, ai‘thinly clad, to a dry, cool, 
or even cold air; from which, agreeable and salu¬ 
tary effects, somewhat similar to those produced 
from the cold water bath, have sometimes been ex¬ 
perienced. And lastly, 

a. The earth-bath: in tvhich the patient is- env 


^248 


BATHING* 


veloped in fresh earth: by which relief has been 
contemplated in scorbutic and phthisical casesi 

From which it will appear^ that the term bath¬ 
ing or bath comprehends a variety of divisions: to 
treat of all which separately, would lead me beyond 
the bounds of this work. I shall, therefore, con¬ 
iine myself to the two first-mentioned general clas¬ 
ses, cold or cool bathing, and hot or warm bathing. 

Section 1. Cold or Cool Bathing, 

The bath is called cold, when the mercur}^, in 
Fahrenheit's thermometer, stands between 33 and 
36 degrees; and cool, when between 36 and 76: 
which distinction it may be necessary to keep in 
view, when it is applied as a remedy lor the cure 
of diseases; but when it is resorted to merely as a die¬ 
tetic or preventive means, it will not be so essential. 
I shall, therefore, speak of it under one general 
head. 

Cold bathing is generally best adapted for hot- 
seasons and climates. By its sudden shock, it 
quickens the circulation of the blood, invigorates 
tlie muscular and nervous systems, and braces the 
whole constitution: hence, it is> in hot climates 
and seasons, necessary and well adapted for the 
weak, infirm, and relaxed of every age and de* 
scription; and peculiarly so for persons of studious 
lives, and sedentary employments. 

It greatly increases the natural bloom and viva¬ 
city of infants; and, by strengthening their whole 
bodies, it helps them through the restless and painful 
period of dentition. By tlie same effect, it is no less 
useful in preventing, and even in curing the rickets: 
it is, indeed, so effectual a preventive or remedy for 
that disorder; that it is to be doubted; whether 


BATHING. 


many children^ if inmed to it in early life, witli 
proper diet, country air, and exercise, would ever 
be alfected with it. In conbrmation of v/hich, it 
is observed, that where it is a common practice to 
immerse or bathe children daily in cold watei-, soon 
after birth, the rickets aie searcely known. It is> 
likewise, perhaps, one of tiie best substitutes for 
pure air, for persons of every age in cities and 
other confined or crowded places, where there are 
not a tree ventilation and sufficient exercise used. 

The diseases in which cold: bathing is recom¬ 
mended, are many and variotis, and, without 
enumerjvting tliem all, it will be suftieient to say, 
that it has been found useful in preventmg and cur¬ 
ing the following: convulsions, cutaneous erup-- 
dons, scrophula oc kings-evil, palsy, some cases 
of rheumatism, tetanus or locked-jaw, atrophy, 
St.^ Vitus’s dance, epilepsy oc falling sickness, and 
liead-ach;. and in most other disorders depending^ 
on debility, or returning periodically. 

It ought, however, to be remembered, that, like 
other remedies, it is not adapted to every case and 
di^rder^ but that, in like mannei’, it deserves,: 
sometimes, if not judiekmsly pnescribed, to be 
ranked among the laedentia, (hurtful) and, there¬ 
fore, it may req-uire prudence in its use. In most 
or ail cases of debility, or relaxation in the sysr- 
tern, unattended with any infiammatory affection, 
or obstruction of the abdominal viscera, it may 
generally be safely and successfully used; but in 
people of rigid fibres, and more especially, if a 
tuberculous, or inflammatory state of tlie lungs or 
viscera; or, if an obstinate obsfcj^uction of tlie bow¬ 
els be present, it will not be advisable', and may be 
highly injurious, and even dangerous. 

. it has, nevertheless, in some instances of col'ic> 


2-50 


BATHING^ 


or fixed constipation of the intestine3> been found 
to procure a passage through themy being dashed 
on the abdomen or lower extremities> after the other 
usual and powerful remedies had failed. 

In cases of habitual costiveness^ owing to a pro¬ 
fuse perspiration, whether kept up by wearing flan¬ 
nel, hard labour, or otherwise, we may safely re¬ 
commend general cold bathing as an effectual re¬ 
medy. 

It is, also, after the body is accustomed to it, 
under prudent management, the most effectual 
means to guard against taking cold. 

There may be some choice in the kind or quali¬ 
ty of the water, the time of day, and the method 
of using it. 

Pure clean water is always to be preferred to that 
which is putrid, or has been long, stagnant. 

If used by affusion, or the shower-bath, it nlay be 
taken directly from the fountain; but, when by im¬ 
mersion, it should stand awhile first. 

The time of day is a matter of indifference, pro¬ 
vided the body be not in a state of free perspiration 
when it is used. It may not, however, be best im¬ 
mediately after dinner, till that meal be, at least in 
part, digested. It will, therefore, be safest, in the 
general, to defer it till late in the afternoon, especi¬ 
ally if we bathe in a fresh river, or in the sea, when 
the chill will be somewhat taken off. 

Immersion is prel’erabie, when it is intended to 
produce a sudden and general shock; and it is 
thought safest to wet the head first; or to plunge in 
with it foremost. 

The body ought to be rubbed smartly with flan« 
nel, immediately after coming out of the bath, till 
it be dry; and it will always be safest to use some 
moderate exercise at the same time. 


BATHll^G. 


251 


however, under the preceding management, 
the patient remains cold and numb, it may not be 
best to repeat it, but to substitute the warm or tepid 
bath in its stead. 

A late writer on the subject thinks it not only in¬ 
nocent but advisable, to use some gentle exercise 
before bathing, for his reasons for which, 1 insert 
his own words: 

In the earlier stages of exercise, before pro¬ 
fuse perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue 
debilitated the living power, nothing is more safe, 
according to my experience, than the cold bath. 
This is so true, that 1 have, for some years, con¬ 
stantly directed infirm persons to use such a degree 
of exercise, before immersion, as may produce 
some increased action of the vascular system, with 
some increase of heat, and thus secure a force of 
reaction under the shock, which, otherwise, might 
not always take place. The popular opinion, that 
it is safest to go perfectly cool into the water, is 
founded on erroneous notions, and sometimes pro¬ 
ductive of injurious consequences. Thus, persons, 
heated, and beginning to perspire, often think it 
necessary to wait on the edge of the bath, until 
they are perfectly cool, and then, plunging into the 
water, feel a sudden chilness that is alarming and 
dangerous. In such cases, the injury is generally 
imputed to going into the water too warm, whereas> 
in truth, it arises from going in too cold. 

But, though it be perfectly safe to go into the 
cold bath in the earlier stages of exercise, nothing 
is more dangerous than this practice, after exercise 
has produced profuse perspiration, and terminated 
in languor and fatigue; because, in such circum¬ 
stances, the heat is not only sinking rapidly, but 
the system parts more easily with the portion that 
remains.’’ Currie, 


BATHING. 


Besides the adTraatages g£ general cold bathing; 
in which vieW; 1 have hitherto principally consi¬ 
dered it; its partial or local nse is no less salutary, 
when properly applied, in certain cases: such as 
'weakness, or inability in any part; in some kinds 
of head-ach and toath-acdi; and in securing the 
head cigainst taking cold. 

Persons who are subject to the quinsey, and to 
periodical sore throats, will, instead of keeping 
their necks always muffled, find an advantage in 
bathing their heads and necks two or three times 
,a-day in fresh spring water. 

Bathing in the sea, or in salt water, is snpposed 
to possess some peculiar and snpeiior advantages 
over that in fresh; but, as the eflects o-f bathing, 
in preserving health and preventing diseases, de¬ 
pend -prisncipally on the pure elemental fluid, I 
shall not allot a distinct consideraten on sea¬ 
bathing. 

Section 2* Hot or J¥arm Bathing. 

It is called the warm or tepid bath, when llie 
mercury stands between 70 and 9^; and the hot, 
when it rises from the last efegrne to 120, or up¬ 
wards. 

por the reason iBentioned in the preceding Sec¬ 
tion, of comprising the cold and cool bath under 
one general head, 1 likewise in this, use die terms 
hot and vvaiun as synonimous. 

In a prophylaetisc point of view, the warm bath 
is, perhaps, not less salutary than the cold, if 
rightly used. This is the kind of bath that appears 
to have been in so common use among the ancients, 
and which I mentioned in the general account of 
bathing. It was afterwards, in some places, much 


^ATIHNCJ. 


^63 

neglected, and almost altogether Superseded b}* 
the cold kind. This has^ at length,»given way to 
the warm, which is again becoming the most com¬ 
mon and fashionable, both in preventing and cur¬ 
ing diseases. 

VV^arm bathing opens the cutaneous pores, re¬ 
laxes spasm and rigidity, and conveys the most 
pleasant sensations to a person after great fatigue 
and violent exertions of any kind, whether of body 
or mind : hence, it w^asso often resorted to by the 
ancients as a pleasurable or luxurious resource, 
after weariness or intemperance of every kind. 

From its po^verlbl effects in promoting perspira¬ 
tion, and in relaxing spasm and rigidity of the 
muscular fibres, it has been found one of the most 
effectual preventives and remedies in ail cases of 
obstructed perspiration; and in diseases attended 
with, or sup|X)rted by, spasmodic constriction of 
any part of the body: such as colic, epilepsy, Stc. 

It is this kind of bathing, also, that is peculiarly 
adapted for promoting cleanliness; and, conse¬ 
quently, for preventing and curing all diseases 
occasioned by nastiness, and an obstruction of the 
cuticular excretions; with which many children, 
in particular, are often afflicted, for want of early 
and due attention to this important part of decen¬ 
cy, as well as of health. 

As the cold bath is generally best adapted for 
hot climates and seasons; so, on the'contrary, is 
the hot or tepid bath for the opposite; with this 
caution, not to expose the body, soon after, to cold 
damp air. For persons who use the warm bath, 
in cold climates and seasons, flannel is, by all 
means, the most proper clothing next the skin; 
and, likewise, for such as use the cold bath, espe- 
eialiy in cold weather. 


Z 


BATHIN©, 


Though the hot bath, when heated to 110 de¬ 
grees, or upwards, has a relaxing and debilitating 
effect on most people; and is, therefore, improper 
for feeble persons to use frequently; yet the tepid, 
not exceeding QG, has an animating and invigorat¬ 
ing effect on some; and has been found particularly 
serviceable in a dry, parched state of the skin.; 
and in preventing attacks of diseases of the hys- 
'teric, hypochondriac, and paralytic kind, as well 
as in curing them after they have actually come 
on. 

As in the r-dministration of medicines, it is 
sometimes difficult to point out clearly the cases 
in which stimulants, and those, in which remedies 
of a different nature are most applicable; and the 
extent to which they are to be respectively used; 
so, it may, sometimes, be difficult to say, whether 
cold or warm bathing is most properly indicated; 
and whether one ought not occasionally to succeed 
the other. In such cases, it will always be most 
advisable to consult an experienced physician, be¬ 
fore either is used; though it must be confessed, 
that practitioners have hitherto been too inatten¬ 
tive, and too much divided in their opinions in 
discriminating those states and disorders of the 
body, in which one kind of bath ought to be used 
in preference to the other. 

The subject is, therefore, recommended to the 
attention and observance of ph^^sicians to point 
out more particularly, both the states of body and 
diseases, in which they ought to be respectively 
used and preferred. 


CHAPTER IT 


cleanliness:.- 



OlEANLINESS is now so universally acknow* 
ledged to be necessary in pi'eserving health and 
preventing diseases, that almost every housewife,, 
as well as physician,, judges it indispensably neces¬ 
sary to enjoin it. 

Some ancient authors have not failed to recom¬ 
mend cleanliness; but it is to the moderns more 
especially, that we are indebted for a just and 
forcible injunction of this particular, both in the 
prevention and cure of diseases. 

Cleanliness is so essentially necessary to preserve 
health, that no person can be supposed to enjoy it 
long, or to be out of danger of being deprived of 
it, who does not observe and practise it. It is now 
ranked among the most certain preventives of the 
scurvy. 

It is so well known, that it needs not to be de¬ 
scribed. It consists principally in three particulars, 
J. In our persons; 2. In our clothes; 3. In and 
about our houses and furniture. 


CLEAJlsJLINESS. 


It is so agreeable and requisite to keep the 
skill clean^ that no person of common decency 
will neglect to wash his face and hands every 
morning soon after risino:, and again at evening 
hetore retiring to rest; and oftener in the day^ 
when they are sweaty^ or occasion requires it. 
Every person ought^ moreover^ to bathe or wasfi 
the body all over once or twice a-week_, especially 
in hot climates^ and in warm weather. Bathing, 
or washing, not only removes the sordes and im¬ 
purities wliich naturally collect on the surface of 
die body, but it tends to promote pei’spiration, on 
a free and regular state of which, health greatly 
depends. 

The feet perspiring more than the other parts of 
the body, ought to be washed twice or thrice a 
lyeek: and it is very .useful and refreshing for pe¬ 
destrians to do it every night before going to bed. 
Cold water, fresh from the fountain, may, at all 
seasons of the year, be safely used for this purpose, 
by persons in health; and will enable the feet to 
bear cold much better, than bathing them in that 
which is wmrm. In confirmation of the safety and 
use of which, it has been observed, that some per¬ 
sons subject to cold feet, have, in the winter sea- 
lion, been in the practice of running out into the 
snow hare-foot, with impunity and success. 

It may not, ho,wever, be safe or best, when cold 
wmter or snow is used, to suffer the feet to remairi 
long in either of them; but they should, immedi¬ 
ately afterwards, be briskly rubbed with flannel till 
they are dry. * 

I need hardly add, that when water alone is not 
found sufficient to keep the skin clean, the addi¬ 
tion of soap, or of some alkaline or absorbent 
substance, becomes necessary. 


CLEANLINESS. 



The eyes ought to be washed well every morn¬ 
ing with fresh cold water.'* The mouth should,, al¬ 
so^ be rinsed, not only as often, but after every 
meal; and the throat should, likewise, be gargled, 
and a little water swallowed in the morning. la 
winter, however, when the water is very cold, the 
chill may be a little taken otf for the above purposes. 

When washing or rinsing the mouth, shall be 
found insufficient to keep the teeth clean, and to 
prevent that tartareous incrustation which natural¬ 
ly collects on them, they should be rubbed with Or 
thick lather of castile soap, or with some simple 

* No distinct consideration appears to have been allotted, in tlie 
course of this work, to the preservation of the eyes, owing to its 
not coming under any particular chapter or head of it; but, from 
the importance of the subject, I cannot well omit adding a few 
general directions in a note. 

From the tenderness and delicacy of thefe organs, every person’s 
experience teaches him, that tbdy should always be preserved invio¬ 
late, and as clear from every irritating cause, as possible. ThLj 
care is not only necessary for people generally, but especially for such 
as have weak and disordered eyes. I'hese should carefully attend to, 
and avoid the follov/ing particulars. 

1. All sudden changes from darkness to light, and the contrary, 
as much as possible, a. Looking minutely at objects, either ac 
dawn or twilight, and in dark places. 3. Sitting near a lucid lamp 
or candle, and facing a hot fire. 4. Reading or sev/ing much by' 
artificial lights of any kind. 5. All dazzling and glaring sunshine, 
especially \vhen it reflects on snow, or other light-coloured bodies.- 
6. Dust, smoke, and vapours of every kind, which excite pain or 
uneasiness. 7. Rubbing or fretting them in any manner, and wip¬ 
ing them with cotton handkerchiefs. 8. Much exposure to cold 
northwest or easterly winds. 9. All spirituous and heating liouors,, 
wliich operate as poison on inflamed eyes. 

Some living in cities who have weak and inflamed eyes, find 
permanent relief only by a change of air to that of the country. 

Persons of the above description, will find an advantage in wear¬ 
ing some defence before their eyes, especially when exposed to heat, 
sunshine, or glaring lights. I'his will be best, if of a green co¬ 
lour. Spectacles of the same hue, are v/ell suited for this purpose. 

The ears, also, occasionally require attention in preserving the im¬ 
portant sense of hearing; but most of the means are too obvious 
to need mentioning. 


258 


CLEANLINESS. 


and innocent dentifrice^ such as a powder of the 
burnt crust of bread; of chalk; or a mixture of 
cream ot tartar and red Peruvian bark; to either 
ot which a little of the levigated powder of brick 
dust^ or pumice stone^ may be added. Soot, snuff, 
tobacco-ashes, and a mixture of burnt alum and re¬ 
fined sugar, arc also used by some; and of late, 
powdered charcoal has become a popular medicine 
for this purpOvse. 

A solution of barilla or sal sodae in water, is, in 
a foulness of the mouth and throat from whatever 
cause, an excellent gargle, detergent, and preser¬ 
vative of the teeth, as well as corrector of fetid 
breath; for which last purpose,, a little of it may 
be occasionally swallowed. 

All strong acid and alkaline substances, which 
form the basis of most patent or advertised tooth 
powders and pastes, are highly injurious to the 
teeth, and ought to be avoided. 

The best tooth brush is a finger, a piece of 
spunge, or of coarse cotton cloth. A sage leaf is 
used by some for the same purpose. All metallic 
substances are improper for tooth-picks, which 
ought rather to be made of ivory, wood, or quills. 

llie mouth and teeth being kept clean, tends 
not only to prevent the teeth from rotting, but to 
preserve the breath pure and sweet. 

All kinds of drink and food, either in a hot, or 
very cold state, are prejudicial to the teeth. 

It deserves, also, to be mentioned, that a foul 
'Stomach, and a feeble, impaired digestion, some- 
ttmes, occasion an accumulation of sordes or tm tar 
about the teeth; and full suppers of flesh, or of 
bard indigestible food, have been observed to have 
the same effect. The means of relief, in those 
{^ascs, are too obvious to aeed pointing ou^ 


CLEANLINESS. 


259 

People of a scorbutic habit, and subject to loose 
teeth and bleeding gums, should be more particu¬ 
larly careful to keep their mouths clean, and to 
live on a cooling, laxative diet; and make beer, 
cider, or tart wines, their common drink. Such 
will, also, find a great advantage in drinking freely 
of wort, or inl'usions of malt; with the plentiful 
use of antiscorbutic vegetables, such as horsera¬ 
dish, scurvy-grass, and water-cresses. The Ger¬ 
man preparation of cabbage, called sour crout, iS 
also useful in such cases. 

All persons who wish to preserve their teeth, 
ought to begin in early life, and strictly to observe 
the preceding directions; for, when one becomes 
carious, it not only taints the breath with a disa¬ 
greeable odour, but tends to rot the others. 

They should, also, carefully avoid biting off 
threads, cracking nuts, and the like; wdiich may 
both injure the enamel or outside covering of the 
teeth, and loosen their roots. 

Many people’s teeth are greatly injured, and 
even spoiled, by the improper and imprudent use 
of mercury; which, also, often renders the breath 
fetid. Here, the diet above mentioned, with the 
frequent use of laxatives and sulphur, must be 
persevered in for some length of time. 

It is owing, 1 apprehend, in great measure, to 
the moist state of the mouth, and to the diluent na¬ 
ture of the saliva, more than to any preserving 
quality in tobacco, that the chevrers of that article 
tliink their teeth are preserved from rotting. And 
there is not only reason to suspect, but experience 
proves, that tlie hot smoke of tobacco, drawn 
through short pipes or segars, is frequently injurious 
to the teeth. Ttie effects of foul pipes, in tainting 
the breath; as well as in colouring and cankering the 


CLEANLINESS. 


teeth; and^ sometimes, in ulcerating the gums, are 
now too well known to all who use this article in 
that way. 

The nose ought not to be neglected, but should 
be cleaned, at least every morning; which care 
is more particularly necessary in children. 

<2. Bathing and washing, how frequently soever 
employed, are insufficient to keep the skin clean, 
and perspirable, W'ithout washing and renewing 
our clothes. This process, is a branch of house¬ 
wifery ; but, when they are prepared, we are highly 
culpable, if we do not change our shirts, drawers, 
.and stockings, once or twice a week; and oftener, 
when our employments and cuticular excretions re¬ 
quire it. Our clothes next, the skin being often 
renewed and kept clean, supplies, in great measure, 
the place of frequent bathing, and is the best 
substitute for it. 

I have heretofore shown the superior salubrity of 
flannel as an article of clothing; and I may now 
add its greater cleanliness; for, by absorbing the 
sweat and perspirable matter, it leaves the skin dry 
and clean. 

In persons infected with putrid, pestilential, or 
contagious diseases; and in seasons and places, 
where those disorders prevail, all clothes, both of 
the body and bed, ought to be still more frequent¬ 
ly changed than at other times. Well people ought 
not to wear the clothes, nor to sleep in the beds of 
sick persons,Tabouring under diseases of the kind 
lately mentioned. 

ij. Cleanliness in and about our houses and fur¬ 
niture, as well as in our persons and clothes, is nc- 
‘ cessary for the preservation of health. Tlie first 
particular relative to houses, is their situation, which, 
ought always to be dry and airy. 


CLEANLINESS. 


The site for a dwelling-Iiouse should be chosen 
HI a chalky or gravelly soil; and on an eminence^ 
;h om the siuiimit of which, there is a gradual descent 
every way. Houses Ivuilt in contined, low, or 
danip places; or, in the vicinity of inarshcs, or of 
stagnant Avaters, are generally ludieakh}^ It re¬ 
mains to be a coiiiGsted point, w hat houses are the 
most coiKlLK!ive to heal tin The general opinion is, 
tiiat ^vooden buildings are more so, than those built 
of stones or bricks. 

Houses built in the situation that I have recom- 
ineudeJ, may be more easily kept clean than others. 
They will not easily give place for puddles to collect 
and stand about them; which should, in all places, 
be carefully avoided by those who wish to preserve 
tlieir bealtn, there being reason to apprehend, that 
the causes of violent, and even mortal diseases, 
have, sometimes,'illhot seasons, been engendered 
about our habitations. All offensive animal and 
vegetable substances, and whatever is capable of 
putrefaction, ought not to be suffered to remain in or 
about our houses, but should be expeditiously re¬ 
moved to some distance, and buried underground. 
Cemetei ies should always be avoided in populous 
places, and near dwelliiig-liouses. 

The pits of privies, should, particularly in hot 
weather, be frequently strewed with layers of 
fresh earth and quick-lime. The situation of 
buildings of this kind over a stream of running 
water, is preferable to all others. 

It would lead me beyond my present bounds to 
describe particularly the situation and planning of 
houses, which ought to be observed in the founda¬ 
tion and building of cities, thongh I think the subject 
highly deserves attention, and ought to be early ob¬ 
served in such undertakings. 


CLEANLINESS. 


Not only the floors of houses should be kept clean 
by frequent scrubbing, or sweeping and washing, but , 
the walls ought to be often white-washed with fresh 
lime, which tends to keep rooms pure and sweet, 
and to prevent the accumulation of those noxious 
or morbid effluvia, wdiich are supposed to oc^ 
casion diseases. White-v/ashed walls are more 
sweet and cleanly, and^ unquestionably, more 
healthy, than papered ones, the latter being 
more apt to imbibe and retain impurities, than the ^ 
former. 

All furniture in a house ought to be kept clean 1 
and sweet, to which painting, on soft wood, great- 
dy contributesj but the odour of newly painted 
rooms and furniture is to be avoided as unwhole^ 
some. Likewise, all utensils used in cookery, and 
about our houses and tables, should be kept pure 
and cleanly; which falling under the province of the 
housewise, I need not particularly describe or give 
directions for; but I may add, that all copper and 
brass vessels ought to be frequently scoured and 
kept bright and clean, they being, above all others> 
most apt to become tarnished or corroded by the 
acid and saline substances contained in them, or by 
the air, forming on their surface a cupreous or 
eruginous matter, which, has, in some instances, 
been known to occasion colics, and other com¬ 
plaints of the bowels. 

The common earthen-ware, glazed with lead, is, i 
also liable to be eroded by acid liquors; and may 
thereby become the source of the same obstinate 
and painful disorders; that metal, as well as cop¬ 
per, being found, when dissolved by acids, to be 
very deleterious. Tin, on chymical analysis, yields 
a considerable portion of arsenic; and is, there¬ 
fore, by some, discommended for common use. 


CHAPTER m. 


PENTILJTION. 



ENTIRATION, or a free circulation of air, is 
essentially necessary, both in preserving and re¬ 
storing health: indeed, so much so, that no per¬ 
son can be supposed to enjoy health long, or to 
be out of danger of suffering in his health, who 
is deprived of it, for any considerable length of 
time. 

It is in cities and towns, and in other confined 
places, where ventilation becomes more particularly 
necessary, to be attended to. Houses should, 
therefore, be placed in situations which admit of 
a fresh access of air on every side. They should 
be so constructed, that the doors and windows on 
different sides may be placed opposite to each other, 
or as nearly so as possible, in order that a fresh 
^current of air may, at all times, be admitted to 
pass through them. 

The doors and windows of all rooms that are 
constantly occupied, or slept in, ought to be daily 
opened; and those, the air of which has been con¬ 
taminated by any means, such as, by many per- 
ssons respiring in them; by many candles or lamps 


£04 


VENTILATION. 


burning; by heated fires or stoves; or^ by tlie 
burning of chareoal^ ought to be well ventilated 
and purified before they are inhabited or slept in; 
for neglect of attention to this^ has been produc¬ 
tive of sudden bad consequences: and^ in some 
instances, of even death itself. '\ 

In hospitals, gaols, and ships; and in rooms 
where people are sick of putrid, contagious, or 
pestilential diseases, ventilation ought to be observ¬ 
ed and practised with vigilant attention; and every 
means should be used to render and preserve the 
air sweet, pure, and wholesome. In those places, 
ventilators ought to be frequently used, especially 
when they are much crowded with people, and the 
air in them is greatly vitiated. A room may have 
the air in it considerably purified by pumping it; 
4hat is, by moving the door briskly backward and 
forward for some time, and by opening a window 
in the apartment opposite to it. 

The air in infected and pestilential places, may 
be partly corrected and purified by vegetables in a 
growing state; and by various kinds of them, such 
as tansy, wormwood, rue, and mint, being col¬ 
lected and spread in a fresh state in them; and 
by fumigating with juniper-berries and the steams 
of vinegar: by which means, the air is not only 
sweetened and rendered more agreeable, but ma¬ 
lignant and infectious disorders have been thought 
to be warded off. . 

To the want of due attention to cleanliness and " 
ventilation, is to be imputed the most general 
cause of typhus fevers,^so frequent at the present 
day. 


CHAPTER 


MEDICAL ELECTRICITY. 



Electricity being one of the most powerful 

.stimulants,, its effects may be considered both as 
general and local. It promotes a free circulation 
of the blood, and increases animal heat and per¬ 
spiration, as well as all the secretions and excretions 
of the body. It has been frequently used, of late, 
both as a preventive and cure of many diseases. 
Without enumerating them all, it will be sufficient 
to say, that it has been found most successful in the 
following: rheumatism, gout, kings-evil, palsy, St. 
Anthony’s fire, St. Vitus’s dance, epilepsy or falling 
sickness, gutta serena, nervous head-ach, tooth- 
ach, suppression of the menses, contractions and 
cramps of the limbs, and in various obstructions, 
tumours, and ulcers. 

And it has, also, been found one of the most 
effectual means of resuscitating persons apparently 
dead from drowning, suffocation, and other like 
canses. 

A a. 


PART II. 


OBSERVATIONS ON THE ABUSE OE MEDICINE, 



There is another subject^ not included under 
the preceding heads,, which is of sufficient impor¬ 
tance to claim attention; and may not improperly 
be said to come under the general object of this 
work: I mean The abuse of medicine.” 

Many physicians have written on the use of me¬ 
dicine, but few on the abuse of it; though the 
latter is within their proper province, as w ell as the 
former. For it must be acknowledged by every 
candid and honest practitioner, that the intent and 
use of medicine are not only often lost by an inju¬ 
dicious and untimely administration, but that, by 
that means, they sometimes lay the foundation ot^ 
and occasion diseases. 

Without entering minutely into the subject, 
which would require a considerable treatise, I shall 
only, at present, touch upon some of the jnost 
common and flagrant particulars. 

And, in the first place, although I judge it ad¬ 
visable, and would recommend an early applicar 
tion for medical advice, yet, I by no means, think 
it necessary and best for all persons, in every slight 
complaint, to be taking strong and powerful medi¬ 
cines; but that, in common colds and slight indis¬ 
positions, it will be sufficient to take a timely care 


0BSERVATIONS/&C. 2^7 

in avoiding all exposure and irregularity of the 
nonnaturals,, which have been already pointed out: 
and,, if there should not be an abatement of the most 
urgent symptoms, then to use some of the means or 
remedies heretofore mentioned, as the nature of the 
case may require: and, if afterwards, there shall 
be no change for the better, but an increase of the 
symptoms, it will then be advisable to consult a 
physician; who, instead of prescribing immediately 
active and pow^erful medicines, will often find, 
that the end may be answered by some of a mild 
and innocent kind, and such as would, perhaps, 
be still within the knowledge or reach of the pa¬ 
tient. 

By such a careful and prudent procedure, I am 
persuaded, that not only many disorders might be 
prevented from settling on the constitution, but 
that much injury might often be avoided by shun¬ 
ning medicine of a strong and powerful kind. 

The superiority of modern practice appears in 
nothing more conspicuous, than in a simplicity and 
paucity of medicines, divested of that compound 
form of prescription, which characterized the an¬ 
cient. 

Some medicines have not improperly been called 
edge tools, or compared to them; which being 
rightly understood and used in the hands of skil¬ 
ful workmen, are very useful and necessary; but, 
when misused, are often productive of bad conse¬ 
quences. 

The abuse of the innumerable patent and quack 
medicines, is a subject too important and well 
known to need pointing out: and whether legisla¬ 
tive authority will ever interfere in suppressing this 
growing evil, it is hoped, that philanthropic phy¬ 
sicians will endeavour to discourage and prevent 
this frequent source of disease. 


OBSERVATIONS, 8CC. 


^68r 

To enumerate all medicines that might be abused, 
would extend to a great part of the materia medica; 
for some are salutary or deleterious, according to 
the manner or quantity in which they are used. 
I shall, therefore, confine myself to a few which 
are most commonly the subjects of abuse. 

These are, mercury; opium; strong emetics 
and cathartics; bitters, astringents, aromatics, and 
stimulants; to which may he added, the remedy 
of blood-letting. 


CHAPTER I. 


MERCURY. 



Mercury, although one of the most power¬ 
ful, and, under prudent management, useful me¬ 
dicines, yet must be acknowledged to be often 
productive of very serious and injurious effects. 
Its various preparations are too numerous to be 
particularized here; but 1 cannot avoid giving it as 
my opinion, that the preparation, called corrosive 
sublimate, is too active, and frequently deleterious, 
to be ventured upon internally, except in the most 
obstinate disorders, and under the immediate care 
of an experienced physician. 

In all cases in which mercury is administered, 
the patients and nurses should be advertised of it, 
and directed to avoid exposure to cold damp air, 
and to use warm mucilaginous drinks. The food 
should be thin, light, and rather warm than cold. 
Salt and all acids, by which its activity and viru¬ 
lence are increased, should be carefully shunned; 
for it has been observed, that the mildest prepara^ 


£70 


MERCURY. 


tions of it, when not conducted agreeable to the 
preceding regimen, have, sometimes, produced 
very sudden and pernicious effects: indeed, it is 
one of those remedies which may give the enemies 
of medicine some grounds to question, whether 
mankind have been most benefited or injured by 
the medical art. 

Modern practice judges it rarely necessary to 
^administer mercury to the extent of full salivation; 
experience having shown, that most or all of the 
effects expected from it, may be obtained by a 
more sparing and long-continued use, than is suf¬ 
ficient to excite a copious discharge of saliva or 
spittle. When, however, a complete salivation 
takes place, either by accident or design, and it 
becomes necessary to stop it, the patient ought, 
not only to observe strictly the dietetic regimen 
mentioned, but he should frequently take some 
perspiring and laxative medicines, with the liberal 
use of sulphur, which has been thought to have an 
effect in checking the operation of mercury. 

Blisters are, also, effectual in stopping a ptyalism 
or salivation. And a flannel shirt is, at all times, 
both advisable and necessary during the free use 
X)i' mercury, especially in cold climates and sea- 
■$ohs. 

When corrosive sublimate has been taken by mis¬ 
take, or to excess, the antidote is some fixed alka¬ 
li, Such as ley of tartar, salt of tartar, or salt of 
Wormwood; with the plentiful use of mucilagin¬ 
ous drinks, and oily medicines. 

1 have already remarked, that the saliva is essen- 
-tially necessary to the digestion, concoction, and 
idssiinilation of the food: therefore, a copious and 
long-continued discharge of that fluid must impair 


MERCURY. 


271 


the digestive faeulty^ and thereby weaken the con¬ 
stitution. 

Arthritic and rheumatic complaints^ with a tender 
susceptibility of taking cold, are among the conser 
quencesof a mercurial course, or salivation. 

Consumption, spitting of blood, and various dis¬ 
orders of the bowels, have, sometimes, been ob¬ 
served to follow its liberal or^imprudent use. 

The destruction of the teeth, and fetid breath, 
are effects too well known to need mentioning. 

Its external application, both in the form of 
unguent and lotion of sublimate, has moreover, at 
times, been productive of unexpected and disagree¬ 
able consequences. 

I do not mean to be understood, that I think 
mercury is an useless medicine, or of so danger¬ 
ous a nature that it is never to be administered; 
for 1 know it to be a very useful one, and such as 
may sometimes, be innocently and successfully 
given, with care, in the cure of various disorders, 
to point out which is not my present province; but 
I wish to caution people against a too tree and in¬ 
discriminate use of it for almost every complaint, 
as is the practice of some; and that, whenever it is 
given repeatedly, or in any considerable quantity, 
it ought to be under the prescription and immedi¬ 
ate notice of a prudent and skilful physician. 

I trust that I am not alone in judging of the 
fearful and injurious effects of mercury, when im¬ 
prudently administered; and that there are many 
contemporary practitioners, who will join me in it. 
And J find, that several authors have written on 
the«ubject, in order to apprize physicians and the 
public of it. The authority of one of them, Dr^ 
Teake, may be sufficient on the present occasion. 


MERCURY. 


Mercury may injure the constitution^ either 
by its quantity or quality. By its quantitjq it will 
1 preternaturally increase the blood’s motion; and, 
by overloading the vessels of the. lungs, or softer 
viscera, has frequently occasioned spitting of blood, 
hectic fever, and other consumptive symptoms. 

The quality of naercury is not less pernicious 
to the constitution, than its immoderate quantity, 
especially when adulterated. I knew a young gen¬ 
tleman, not nineteen years of age, attacked with 
a violent fit of gout, soon after a salivation, of 
which it was evidently the exciting, if not the 
proxim^e cause; as he had not before been sub¬ 
ject to the least symptom of any such malady. 

“ Without disregarding the testimony of truth, 
it cannot be denied, that this remedy is often at¬ 
tended with consequences, not only dangerous, 
but fatal, where the lungs are tender, or any of 
the delicate, internal parts in a state of decay. 

Salivation, or the immoderate use of mercu- 
ry, by enlarging the secretions, and the excessive 
waste of animal fluids, w'ill dispose the body to 
universal relaxation, and produce many chronic 
diseases, particularly, spitting of blood, consump¬ 
tion, and dropsy. 

‘‘ The pernicious quality of mercury, in the 
, form of corrosive sublimate, is too manifest to need 
illustration. 1 have seen two instances of a sali¬ 
vation brought on by the external use of sublimate, 
applied as a lotion; and one, where the same acci¬ 
dent happened, by the application of red precipi¬ 
tate of mercury to an ulcerous sore. 

In ja word, the immoderate use of mercury, has 
been observed from repeated experience, greatly 
to injure the brain and nei'ves, as well as the stomach 


MERCURY. 


S73 


and bowels depending upon their influence; and 
thus, by weakening the animal system, subjects the 
patient to gout, debility, nervous disorders, loss of 
memory, confusion of ideas, low spirits, and pre¬ 
mature old age.’^* Leake. 

• I have not ranked arsenic among the subjects of abuse; but, 
from its increasing internal use of late in practice under the name 
of the tasteless ague drop, and from the numerous instances of its 
being taken to excess, both by accident and design, it may not be 
wholly improper or unacceptable to some readers to add a few ob- 
fervationson it. 

It is well known, that arsenic has been found to be one of the most 
effectual medicines in certain cases of agues and intermittent fevers, in 
which the usual means have proved abortive; but, although in those 
diseases, it may be the most certain remedy, yet there is reason to ap¬ 
prehend, that virulent, and even fatal effects have sometimes follow¬ 
ed its use, even under the idea of a medicine : wherefore, I think 
it behoves all to be careful how they take it inwardly, and then 
only under the direction and notice of a prudent physician. 

When a large quantity of arsenic has been lately swallowed,, the 
first step is to give a fcruple or half a drachm of white vitriol, which 
generally operates as a more easy and speedy emetic than any other. 

The next is, (not waiting for the operation of the puke to be fully 
®ver, as there is no time to be lost,) to give plentifully either of li- 
vor of sulphur dissolved in pure water, or a strong watery solution of 
castile or white soap; or, these may, perhaps, with a greater prospect 
©f success, be alternated with each other. 

Copious draughts of mucilaginous drinks, with plenty of milk and 
®ily medicines, are to be immediately administered, both by the 
mouth and injections, and faithfully persevered in till the symptoms 
abate. 

If the quantity of arsenic taken be small, and its effects have al¬ 
ready extended to the lower part of the bowels the vomit may be 
emitted. 


CHAPTER' 11 


OPIUM. 



Every physician’s experience must have taught 
him, that opium, as well as mercury, is a medicine 
which has been often abused. And 1 shall not 
point out all the diseases in which it may be bene¬ 
ficial, nor those in which it may be detrimental; 
but only in a general way, in order that my readers 
may be acquainted, that, by improper use, it de¬ 
serves, to be ranked among the laedentia, or medi¬ 
cines which are hurtful. 

Opium is, perhaps, one of the most useful and 
powerful medicines in the whole materia medica; 
and, without which, it would be difficult to give 
that -soothing relief in many disorders, which we 
are enabled to do with it; but, with this, as with 
many other things, w^e have not contented our¬ 
selves with the proper or moderate, but have run 
into the improper and excessive use of; and al¬ 
though it was at first used, and still ought to be, 
principally as a medicine, yet we find, that a great 
part of the injury arising from it, is owing to its 


OPIUM* 


275 


habitual use; for, like tobacco and spirituous li¬ 
quors, which may be disagreeable at first, jt be¬ 
comes, by use, not only agreeable, but desirable, 
both in its taste and effects: hence, persons who 
have occasion to take it frequently, or who have 
been long in the practice, ought to be sparing in 
quantity, and should not continue it longer than 
is essentially necessary; for it is found, that by 
long-continued use, it is not only necessary to in¬ 
crease the dose to several times the first quantity, 
but it becomes very difficult for the patient to keep 
comfortable, or seemingly to subsist without it. 

Its constant and liberal use rarely fails to pall the 
appetite, and destroy digestion; to induce costive¬ 
ness, general debility, tremors, and palsy. In 
short, it is followed by much the same train of 
•symptoms and disorders, as spirituous liquors. 

It is not within my present plan to inquire in 
what part of opium its virtues reside, nor to ex¬ 
plain its mode of operation, further than to say, 
that from its evident effects, it appears to operate 
at first as a sudden and diffusive stimulus, and prin¬ 
cipally on the nervous system; that this stimulat¬ 
ing and exhilarating eftect is soon and certainly 
succeeded by languor, inactivity, and sleep; which 
are afterwards followed by a torpid coldness and 
sweat; and, if the quantity taken be excessive, by 
giddiness, head-ach, nausea, sickness, vomiting, 
constipation of the bowels, slow intermittent pulse, 
convulsions, and, at length, death. 

Medical histoiy, as well as our own observation, 
furnishes us with abundant proof of the extent to 
which the use of opium maybe carried by custom 
and habit; and that it is greatly used in some coun¬ 
tries, not merely as a medicine, but as an exhila¬ 
rating and intoxicating substance, like tobacco. 


e76 


OPIUM. 


ardent spirits. See.: and, although the latter use is 
not so common in this country, as in some others^ 
yet it is to be feared, that the practice is gaining 
ground; and that it will be more used, like spiritu¬ 
ous liquors, among us. 

It may not, however, always be best for those 
who have been long addicted to the immoderate 
use of opium, to discontinue it suddenly, and all 
at once; but it will be safest to desist gradually; 
and to substitute some other things in its place, 
such as either a little wine or spirits; some aromatic 
or cordial substance; or some of the fetid gum 
pills ; by which, the habit may be gradually, and, 
at length, finally broken, to the great relief and 
safety of the suferer. 

Among the various cases in which opium is abus¬ 
ed, deserves to be mentioned as not the least com¬ 
mon and flagrant^ its liberal and long-continued 
use for sucking infants, that are often afflicted with 
restlessness and pains in their bowels. It is, no 
doubt, the most speedy and effectual, and appears, 
sometimes, to be the dernier remedy in many of 
those cases; but the experience of every physician 
and observing person must have taught them, that 
its excessive and constant use has, in certain in¬ 
stances, (and those too frequent,) produced effects, 
which have never afterwards been removed, and 
which have sonowfully proved fatal. 

Under the head of opium, I mean that article, 
.not only in a solid form, but in its several prepara¬ 
tions, such as laudanum, paregoric, &c. 

When opium has been long used for children, 
and it seems difficult to dispense with it, various 
substitutes may be employed, such as the several 
carminative seeds of anise, dill, caraway, carda¬ 
mom, coriander, fennel, angelica, and master- 


OPIUM. 


277 

M’ort: and, perhaps, ^sometimes, a little weak 
brandy punch, with the occasional interposition of 
some alkaline, or absorbent medicines, which will 
tend to neutralize and destroy the superabundant 
acidity in the first passages, and thereby to remove 
the most frequent cause of the complaint. 

The best correctors of opium, when taken to 
excess, are acids of different kinds, particularly 
the vegetable. 

Coffee has been found to counteract the rnDorbid 
effects of opium and cicuta on the constitution; 
and may, therefore, be used liberally by those 
who take much of these medicines. I’his may.be 
one reason, why the Turks, who are excessively 
fond of coffee, bear such large quantities of opium. 

The diseases in which opium is most likely to be 
improperly administered, are those of an inflam¬ 
matory nature, in which there are present, a ple- 
thory; a frequent, full, and bard pulse; dry skin; 
and a costive state of the bowels: in which cases, 
it will be necessary first to let blood, and prescribe 
laxative and cooling medicines, till the inflamma¬ 
tory symptoms are abated: after which, if pain 
and restlessness still remain, opium may then be 
safely and usefully given. 

I wish not unnecessarily to alarm my readers, by 
arresting their attention to the abuse of a medicine, 
which is in so common and liberal use; but the 
public ought to be advertised of every well-known 
fact respecting the abuse, as well as the discovery 
and salutary use of a medicine. 

Opium is the most sovereign remedy in the 
materia medica, for easing pain and procuring 
sleep; and, also, the most certain antispasmodic 
yet known; but, like other powerful medicmes, 
becomes highly noxious to the human constitution^ 


OPIUM. 


5^78 

and even mortal, when improperly administered. 

liberal; and long-continued use has been ob¬ 
served greatly to injure the brain and nerves, and 
to diminish .their influence on the vital organs of 
the body. By its first effects, which are exhilarat¬ 
ing, it excites a kind of temporary delirium, which 
dissipates and exhausts the spirits; and, by its sub- 
serjuenl; narcotic power, occasions confusion of 
ideas, and loss of memory, attended with nausea, 
giddiness, head-ach, . and constipation of the 
bowels; in a word, it seems to suspend, or dimi¬ 
nish the patural secretions and excretions of the 
bedy, that of perspirf^tion only excepted. 

" Those who take opium to excess, become 
enervated and soon look pld; when deprived of it, 
they are faint; and experience the languor and 
dejection of spirits common to such as drink spi¬ 
rituous liquors in excess; to the bad effetvts of 
which, it is similar; since, like those, they are 
not easily remAved, without a repetition of the 
dose.” , Leake. 


CHAPTER III. 


STRONG EMETICS AND CATHARTICS. 


Emetics arid cathartics are among the medi¬ 
cines most commonly used; and, when properly 
and carefully administered, ariri some of the most 
necessaiy and useful; but, when prescribed at im¬ 
proper times, and taken in immoderate doses, may 
be highly injurious; and have, in some instances, 
even proved fatal. Their frequent and repeated 
use tends to weaken the stomach and bowels, to 
impair digestion, and to induce costiveness. 

•It will not be my business hrire, more than on 
the preceding subjects, to point out alT the cases 
in which medicines of these kinds are indicated ; 


but 1 shall only mention some, in which they are 
most likely to prove hurtful. And first, of emetics: 
which are of various kinds; but those most com¬ 
monly in use are the antimOnial," vvhich being the 
most active and powerful, require the greatest cau¬ 
tion in their use. 

I judge the practice, by no means, safe, to give 
a full dose of four or five grains of emetic tartar 
to every person who may take a puke; but I think 


‘i80 EMETICS AND CATHAETICS; 

it more advisable and prudent, to give it in divided 
portions of about one quarter at a time, every half, 
or three quarters of an hour, till it has the desired 
effect: and, inti s manner, 1 have rarely found it 
too severe; and i think it often has abetter effect, 
than when given in a full dose at once. 

Emetics may be administered at improper times, 
and in improper disorders, as well as in too large 
doses. They should not be given on a gorged or 
full stomach, nor in a constipated state of the 
bowels. The stronger kinds ought always to be 
given with caution to persons of weak, delicate, 
and neiTous constitutions; also, to those of full, 
plethoric habits, and whose bowels may be sup¬ 
posed to be in a state of inflammation, or unsound¬ 
ness; at least, not until after blood-letting, and 
the inflammatory symptoms have subsided. They 
should be wholly abstained from by persons subject 
to hemorrhages, or bleedings from the stomach, 
lungs, or nose; and by those disposed to apoplec¬ 
tic and convulsive fits. 

The unnecessary and improper use of strong 
cathartics, is subject to much the same abuse as 
emetics; but the former are not often attended 
with so much immediate danger, as the latter. 
Many persons suffer greatly in their health, by get¬ 
ting in the habit of using strong purgative medi¬ 
cines; the necessit}^ of which might, in great 
measure, be obviated by diet; and by attending 
to the means already mentioned under the head of 
Retentions and Excretions. 

Many cases occur in which it becomes indispen¬ 
sably necessary to use some purgative or solutive 
medicines; but, it should always be observed, es¬ 
pecially by persons w^ho are under frequent neces¬ 
sity to take them, to prefer those that are the mild- 


EMETICS AND CATHARTICS. 


281. 


est and most innocent, and best adapted to the ^ 
particular nature of the constitution and case : for 
instance, it would be very improper for persons of 
a cold, phlegmatic temperament, to use neutral 
salts, or purgatives of the saline kind; for they 
chill the blood, and render the body more torpid : 
and, on the contrary, it would be no less injurious- 
for such as are of a warm, sanguine, or plethoric 
habit, to take those of the resinous or acrid ‘kind,' 
which stimulate the bowels, and inflame the con¬ 
stitution. The diflerence and choice of these will 
be understood by recurring to the place lately 
referred to. 

Every physician, and patient afflicted with the 
hemorrhoids or piles, ought to know and remem¬ 
ber, tliat aloes is the most improper purgative in 
that disorder, which, experience showS) is some¬ 
times brought on by that medicine alone. 

The necessity of purgative medicines may, in 
great measure, be supplied and superseded by the* 
use of intestinal injections, which are not enough 
used in this country. 

Those of tender bowels, or weak nerves, suf¬ 
fer much from the violent agitation of emetics^ 
which invert the natural expulsive motion of the 
intestinal canal, and occasion regurgitation of bile' 
into the stomach, contrary to its natural course 
downwards, attended with nausea and intolerable 
sickness. To such, also, as are of full habits of. 
body, or who have unsound viscera tending to in¬ 
flammation, emetics are dangerous, and^ bave^ 
sometimes, proved fatal, by increasing inflamma¬ 
tion, or burstings blood-vessel. 

In generalj it may be right to encourage those 
discharges which nature seems to have set on foot; 
but this rule is not vdthout exception; for every 

Bb 2 


28£ 


EMETICS AND CATHARTICS. 


discharge is not critical or salutary; hut^ on the 
contrary, often morbid and spasmodic. It is too 
much the common practice to give an emetic, 
wherever symptoms of bile appear at the stomach, 
without duly regarding the cause of its redundance; 
which, for the most part, is a symptomatic, and 
not a primary affection;,for, where bilious vomit¬ 
ing is present in cases of nephritic colic, inflam¬ 
mation of the stomach, plethoric disorders of the 
head, or a disposition to apoplexy, which not un- 
frequently happen; emetics wdil aggravate the 
disease, and render it more dangerous, or even 
mortal. Bleeding, plentiful dilution, and the warm 
bath, will be proper, and gentle laxatives, to carry 
off the offending bile by the intestines. 

By strong purgatives often repeated, the intes¬ 
tines are robbed of their mucus, and rendered 
tender, irritable, and subject to diarrhoea, and 
colic pains; especially after taking cold, errors in 
diet, or other accidental causes, which, in their 
natural, sound state, would have produced no 
such effects. Besides, by their long-continued use, 
the body is deprived of nourishment, and the 
blood so much empoverished, that many instances 
might be brought to prove, a dropsy, consumption, 
or other chronic diseases, were the consequence. 

From the habitual use of purgatives, as well 
as spirituous liquors, the bowels will lose their vil¬ 
lous coat or fine nervous lining, so as to become 
half callous; and, at last, insensible to the gentle 
stimulus of bile, the purgative appointed by nature 
to quicken their motion: therefore, costiveness will 
be another bad consequence of theiy frequent use, 
which, like the abuse of opium, or spiriti^-9,i^s liquors, 
oftener becomes necessary from bad habit, than any 
natural defect in the expulsive force of the alimen¬ 
tary tube.'' Leake. 


CHAPTER IV. 


BITTERS, JSTRINGENTS, AROMAT¬ 
ICS, AND STIMULANTS. 


Although bitters^ astringents, aromatics, 
and stimulants are frequently indicated, and often 
become both necessary and useful, yet there is no 
doubt, that their end is often frustrated, and their 
intended effect lost; and that, by an improper and 
a too long-continued use, they may prove highly 
injurious, not only to the stomach and bowels, but 
to the whole constitution; for it is an established law, 
of nature, that when any power or substance is 
frequently and repeatedly applied to the body, and 
becomes habitual, it loses its first, and is followed 
by an opposite effect. This is particularly exem¬ 
plified in the nature and operation of medicine; 
and in none, perhaps, more than in those of the 
bitter, astringent, aromatic, and stimulant classes; 
which, when constantly used for any considerable 
length of time, rarely fail to be succeeded by a 
weakness of the stomach, and finally, by a debi¬ 
litated state of the whole body; as I have remarked 


284 BITTERS^ ASTRINGENTS^ &C. 

of wine and ardent spirits; which, although of a 
stimulating and heating nature, are generally fol¬ 
lowed by coldness, flaccidity, and weakness. 

It would extend beyond my present bounds to 
enumerate all the medicines of these several classes, 
and to point out all the cases in which they may 
be improperly used: I have, therefore, only touch¬ 
ed the subject in a summary way, advising all who 
may have occasion to persist in the long-continued 
use of them, to consult experienced physicians; 
whom I would also request to observe carefully 
their operation and effect; and, 1 am persuaded, 
they will find, that those kinds of medicines may 
be frequently continued longer than is salutary, 
and may even prove injurious. 

All stimulating medicines act as sedatives; that 
is, they diminish the vital power of the body, when 
their first effect is over; as appears evident in opi¬ 
um, spirituous liquors, &c.: and stimulants, even 
when externally applied, as in blisters with cantha- • 
rides, produce a similar change, and have been 
observed to occasion sleep, when other means 
failed. 

Bitters, astfingeiits, and aromatics are all of 
the tonic kind; but practical experience clearly 
proves, that their liberal and long-continued use 
is highly pernicious and that, thus administered, 
they defeat the very purpose intended; for, after 
a certain time, they diminish the energy of the 
stomach, and, at last, destroy the vital powers of 
the whole animal system.» 

We have remarked, that stomachic bitters, and 
spirituous cordial medicines, to which the patient 
has generally recourse, are so far from being service¬ 
able in such cases, that their frequent use has been 
found irqurious in a high degree; for all stimulants, 


BITTERS^ ASTRINGENTS, 8CC. <285 

by long continuance, counteract their own purpose, 
and produce atonic effects. By vellicating the 
coats of’ the stomach, they excite a canine or pre¬ 
ternatural appetite, which craves a greater quantity 
of food than the stomach can digest or dispense 
with; so that, instead of being nourished, the pa¬ 
tient will be oppressed with Hatulence, palpitation 
of the heart, hectic heats, and such chronic dis¬ 
eases as are consequent of ill-prepared, crude chyle, 
viz. gout, dropsy, or scorbutic cachexy; for it 
should ever be remembered, that tiie body is not 
nourished in proportion to the quantity of food re¬ 
ceived into the stomach, but according to the de¬ 
gree of perfection with which it is digested. 

Moderate exercise in an open carriage, or on 
horse-back, in cool, dry, pure air, which, of all 
others, is most bracing; assisted by a strong infu¬ 
sion of Peruvian bark, with mineral acids and steel; 
and afterwards the chalybeate waters of Islington, 
■Tunbridge, or Spa; with the use of the flesh brush, 
and cold bath, when the viscera are sound, are the 
principal remedies to be depended upon for lasting 
relief, in primary atonic weakness of the stomach.” 

Leake, 


CHAPTER V. 

JBLOOD-LETTING. 



In additioh to tlie medicines already mentioned, 
as being frecjuently misused or abused,, may be 
sui^oinbd the remedy of blood-letting; which, not¬ 
withstanding its frequent use and practice, not only 
by the sick and disordered, but by many in almost 
perfect health, must be acknowledfged, by the can¬ 
did and observing physician, to be often unneces¬ 
sary, and sometimes detrimental to the disorders 
and constitutions in which it is used. 

It is of indisputable use in most, or all acute fe¬ 
brile diseases of an inflammatory nature, accom¬ 
panied with giddiness, head-ach, a full, hard 
pulse, and acute pain. In which cases, it may be 
not only innocent, but sometimes necessary to re¬ 
peat it, according to the nature of the disorder, 
and the urgency of the symptoms; but,, in diseases 
of a different nature, unattended with any of the pre¬ 
ceding symptoms; and in those called nervous and 
putrid, bleeding must be carefully avoided; and 
remedies should be employed that are of a tonic 
or strengthening nature. 


BLOO D-LETTIN Ci. 


; Blood-letting is, also, sometimes necessary for 
persons in a moveable state of health, who are, of 
a ' sanguineous temperament, and of plethoric ha¬ 
bits; and who majMabour under a turgescence.of 
their blood-vessels, evidenced by a florid com¬ 
plexion, difficult respiration, and other symptoms 
of plenitude. It is, also, particularly necessary 
for persons of an apoplectic disposition; and no 
less so, for such as are subject to periodic pain and 
hemorrhages; the accustomed time of which 
ought to be preceded by blood-letting, or other 
remedies that may supply its place. 

Some are in the habit of letting blood regularly 
once or twice a-year, whether indicated or not; 
but this practice is not only unnecessary, but some¬ 
times injurious; especially to those of a pallid as¬ 
pect, lax solids, weak nerves, and a feeble diges¬ 
tion: which generally occur in temperaments and 
constitutions opposite to those lately described as 
requiring it. 

An additional reason for avoiding frequent 
blood-letting, is, that a repetition of it, ultimately 
increases, more than it lessens a plethory; for the 
constitution is found to be possessed of a surprising 
power of reproducing that vital fluid, whenever it 
is exhausted by accident or design. 

The best substitutes for bleeding are, moderate 
exercise, a spare diet, and gentle laxatives; which,' 
properly conducted, will often supply the place 
and defect of regular or habitual discharges of 
blood. 

The necessity or occasion of full blood-letting 
may, also, be sometimes supplied by leeches, cup¬ 
ping, blisters, or other discharges by setons or 
issues. And flannel worn next to the skin, by 
keeping up a free perspiration; and circuiatien of 


288 


BLOOD-LETTING. 


blood in the extreme vessels, tends to prevent the 
necessity of frequent bleeding. 

No remedy has been more abused than that of 
bleeding by the lancet, the preposterous use of 
wiiich, refore, deserves consideration ; for blood 
bein^ .ne fountain of life, the profuse or unsea¬ 
sonable discharge of it, will endanger the consti¬ 
tution by destroying that due balance which ought 
to subsist between the solids and fluids. ^ 

In acute diseases, when blood is redundant, 
bleeding is a speedy and efficacious remedy; but, 
in chronic, as well as acute maladies of the putrid 
kind, when it olfends rather in quality than quan¬ 
tity, the loss of blood is productive of great inju¬ 
ry; particularly in those of lax solids, weak nerves, 
and bad digestion. But should it, for particular 
reasons, be sometimes thought necessary in such 
cases, the advantages proposed by it, may be more 
safely obtained by spare diet, moderate exercise, 
and gentle laxatives, which will gradually empty 
the vessels, with much less diminution of strength. 

The frequent and unseasonable loss of blood, 
in those of a spungy habit and pale aspect, weakens 
the circulating power, and diminishes the natural 
secretions and excretions. It impairs digestion, 
disposes the body to corpulency, dropsy, and ner¬ 
vous disorders, and even convulsions, where blood 
is discharged suddenly, and in great profusion. 

If the patient, after bleeding, is affected with 
languor, flying pains, oppression, or sleepiness, 
he has then been greatly injured by it; for, in such, 
the circulation languishes, perspiration is lessened, 
and the blood is not carried far enough through its 
vessels, to invigorate the system and support the 
natural secretions ; hence, a load of gross humours 
will be accumulated, and a bloated habit of body 


BLOOD-LETTING. 


^89 


will ensue; especially in those who indulge in eat¬ 
ing, and use not sufiicicnt exercise to carry off the 
redundant fluids. 

On the contrary, those of strong solids, a 
costive habit, a hard, full pulse, attended wuth 
giddiness and head-ach, or other symptoms of ple¬ 
nitude, may lose blood, use low diet, and keep the 
body laxative, with great relief to the constitution, 
particularly at new and full moon, about the ver¬ 
nal or autumnal equinox; for, at that period, apo¬ 
plexies, palsies, and other fatal diseases most fre- 
quentW happen. But the indiscriminate loss of 
blood in spring and autumn, in such as are healthy, 
is a vulgar error, which has been injurious to many; 
since no alteration for the better can add to perfect 
health. 

In short, such as live temperately, use suffici¬ 
ent exercise, and perspire freely, will seldom have 
occasion to lose blood by the lancet, except in 
acute diseases, where the circulating power is pre- 
ternaturally increased by pain, fever, or other 
violent causes.'' Leake. 


THE END. 


ERRATA. 

Page 114, last line, for fetid^ read “ putrid.” 

124, 9th line, dele “ in” in the word indigestion. 

145, 1st line, for of, read “ or.” 

168, 30th line, insert “ visit” between the words should ivarm,- 
26s, 19th line, for houseivise, read “ housewife.” 

Gc 




A 

GLOSSARY 

OF THE 

TECHNICAL TERMS 
Contained in the preceding work. 

%vord being dejined in one form or part of speech^ it wd3 
judged unnecessary to exfilain the same in another. 

Abdomen, the belly 

Ablactation, weaning 

Absorbent, destroying moisture or sourness 

Accelerate, to quicken 

Acescency, disposition to sourness 

Acidity, sourness 

Acidulate, to sour slightly 

Acrimony, sharpness 

Acute, of speedy termination 

Adipose, fat 

Affusion, pouring one thing on another 
Alcohol, rectified spirit of wine 
Alkali, a fixed salt fermenting with acids 
Alkalescency, the opposite of acescency, tendency to¬ 
wards putrefaction 
Alimentary, relating to nourishment 
Alimentary canal or tube, the stomach and intestines 
Alliaceaj, medicines of the garlic kind 
Alvine, relating to the belly 
Analysis, separation of a compound into its parts 
Anodyne, easing pain 
Anorexia, want of appetite 
Antidote, a medicine to destroy poison 


GLOSSARY, 


2m 


Antiscorbutic, good against the scurvy 

Antiseptic, resisting putrefaction 

Antispasmodic, against spasm 

Anus, the fundament 

Aperient, of an opening quality 

Arthritic, gouty, relating to the joints 

Assimilation, change into another nature or likeness 

Astriction, the act of contracting 

Astringent, binding 

Athletic, strong 

Atonic, debilitated 

Atrabilarian, melancholic 

Atrophy, a wasting without fever, or any sensible cause 
Attenuate, to dilute, to thin 

Azote, the base of nitric acid, principle of putrefactiop 
Biliary’ I relating to the gall 

Bronchocele, a swelling on the wind-pipe, called, in Eng¬ 
land, the Derby-shire neck 
Borachio, a leathern bottle 
Bagnio, a house or place for bathing 

Cacao, > chocolate nut 

v^OCOSj j 

Cachexy, a disordered habit of body 
Cseteris paribus, other things being eqital 
Calcarious, like a calx, limy 
Calcined, reduced to a powder by fire 
Calculus, the stone or gravel 
Cantharides, Spanish flies 
Cardialgia, the heart-burn 
Capillary, fine, hair-like 
Carbonic, relating to carbon or charcoal 
Catalepsy, a kind of apoplexy 
Carious, rotten 

Carminative, expelling wind, warm 
Caseous, like cheese 

Catarrh, a discharge from the head or throat 
Cathartic, a purge 

Catheter, a pipe to diw oj0f the urine' 


GLOSSABy. 


29^ 


Cellulav, made up of cavities 
Chalybeate, impregnated with steel or irori 
Chlorosis, green sickness 
Cholera morbus, a vomiting and purging 
Chronic, > , r* i 

Chvonicll, 5 

Chyle, the white alimentary fluid making the blood 
Chylopoeitic viscera, the liver, spleen, sweetbread, and 
caul 

Chymical, relating to chymistry, or to the art of coitt- 
billing and separating bodies 
Coagulum, a curd 

Concoction, digestion in the stomach 
Condiment, seasoning, sauce 
Confection, sweet-meat 
Contagion, infection 
Constipation, obstruction, costiveness 
Contaminated, impure, corrupt 
Convalescence, recovery from sickness 
Coriaceous, like leather 

Crasis, peculiar state of the blood in every person 
Crisis, a critical time, or turn 
Crudity, rawness, indigestion 
Cupreous, coppery 

I elating to the skin 

Defeedation, foulness 
Deleterious, poisonous, deadly 
Delirium, light-headedness 
Dentifrice, a tooth-powder 
Dentition, teething 

Dephlogisticated, deprived of phlogiston, or the princir 
pie of inflammability 
Dernier, last, only remaining 
Diabetes, an immoderate flow of urine 
Diarrhoea, a looseness, purging 
Diaphoretic, sweating 
Diascordium, a cordial medicine so called 
Diathesis, disposition or habit of body 


ULOSkklRt, 



Dietetic, relating to diet or regimeO 
Drustic, powerful 
Diuretic, promoting urine 
Drupacese, stone-fruits 
Duodenum, the first of the intestines 
Dyspepsia, indigestion 
E. G. for example 
Effluvia, exhalations, vapours 
Electric, relating to electricity 
Emaciation, wasting of flesh 
Emetic, a vomit 
Empyreumatic, burnt 

Emunctory, an outlet, or passage from the body 
Enamel, the outside covering of the teeth 
Enervate, to weaken 
Endemic, } ,• * * 

Endemiai, S peculiar to a country 

EpiclcmiCj ^ 

Epidemical, 5 

Epilepsy, the falling sickness 
Equilibrium, equal weight 
Eructation, a belch 
Eruginous, brassy, rusty 

Erysipelas, St. Anthony’s fire [the air ' 

Eudiometer, an instrument for measuring the purity of ^ 

Exacerbation, the increase of a disease 

Excretion, discharge of animal fluids or matters 

Exonerate, to unload- 

Exotic, foreign 

Exsiccate, to dry 

Farinaceous, me ally 

Febrile, feverish 

Fermentatss, fermented liquors 

Fistula in ano, a hollow ulcer in the fundament 

Flatus, 1 

Flatulence, > wind in the bowels 
Flatulency, J 
Fluor albus, the whites 
Fluxus coeUacus, a chylous or milky purging;- 
C c 2 

I 


GLOSS 


Foeces, the excrements 

Fffitus, an unborn child 

Fossil, mineral 

Gas, an elastic fluid, air 

Gastric, digestive, relating to the stomach 

Gland, a secretory organ 

Glossary, an explanation of difficult words 

Goitre, see bronchocele 

Gutta serena, a kind of blindness 

Gypsum, plaster of Paris 

Hectic fever, generally ending in consumption 

Hemorrhage^ a discharge of blood 

Hemorrhoids, the piles 

Hepatic, relating to the liver 

Heterogeneous, of unlike kind 

Homogeneous, of the same nature 

Hydrogen, inflammable air, principle of water 

Hydrophobia, canine or dog madness [diseases 

Hygieine, the art of preserving health, and preventing* 

Hygieinists, physicians who attended people only ip. 

health, in order to preserve it, and prevent diseases 
Hypochondriasis, hyp, spleen, vapours 
Idiosyncrasy, peculiar habit or constitution 
Iliac passion, an inverted motion of the intestines 
Imbecility, debility, weakness 
Immersion, plunging under water 
Impetus, a blow, force 
Imposthume, an abscess, gathering 
Inanition, emptiness 
Incrassate, to thicken 
Indigenous, native to a country 
Indigestible, difficult of digestion 
Inebriety, 

Inebriation, 

Infection, contagion [vessel^s 

Inflammation, an increased heat and action of the bleed’ 
Ingesta, all solid food taken into the body 
Inspissate, to thicken 

In succum et sanguinenij into juice and blow) 


drunkenness 


GLOSSARY. 




Intestinal, belonging to the intestines or guts 

Irrespirable, unfit to be breathed 

Irritability, a disposition to contract from a stimulus 

Ischuria, a suppression of urine 

Juvantias useful remedies 

Lacteals, vessels conveying chyle 

Languor, want of strength or spirits 

Laxative, relieving costiveness 

Laedentia, hurtful remedies 

Levigated, reduced to a fine powder 

I^enitive, softening, laxative 

Lotion, a medicinal wash 

Manganese, a seniimetal so called 

Mania, insanity, madness 

Mastication, act of chewing 

Materia Medica, the whole collection of medicines 

Mesentery, a membrane connecting the intestines 

Menses, the courses 

Menstruating, relating to the courses 

Menstruum, a liquid used in infusion 

Mephitic, suffocating, noxious 

Meslin, a kind of bread made of wheat and rye 

Meteorological, relating to meteors, or the air 

Miasma, morbid exhalations or vapours 

Morbid, diseased 

Morbific, causing diseases 

Mucilage, a glutinous or slimy substance 

Mucus, slime, matterdischarged from the nose and lungj^ 

Muriatic, briny, like sea-salt 

Narcotic, stupefactive, easing pain 

Nausea, inclination to vomit 

Nephritic, relating to the kidneys, or the gravel 

Nitrogen, the base of nitric acid 

Nonnaturals, air, diet, sleep, exercise, passions of the 
mind, and retentions and excretions [lects 

Nucleus, a kernel, the centre about which any thing coi- 
Obesity, fatness 

Oxyd, a calx, a powder made by fire 
Oxygen, the base of vital air, principle of acidity 
Pancreas, Uie sweet-bread 


. 296 - 


gloss ART. 


Paralytic, relating to palsy 
Paroxysm, a fit 

Pathologia, doctrine of the nature and causes of dise^^ 

Perspiration, discharge by the pores of the skin 

Pestilential, infectious 

Phenomena, appearances 

Phlegmatic, troubled with phlegm, dull 

Phlogiston, principle of inflammability 

Phthisical, consumptive, wasting 

Physiologia, doctrine of the use and offices of parfs. 

Piquancy, sharpness 

Pituitous, consisting of phlegm 

Plethora ad volumen, a partial fulness of blood 
Plethora ad spatium, a general fulness of blood 
Polypus, an excrescence in the nostrils or throat " 
Pracordia, region about the heart 

Primx vice, first passages, i. e. the stomach and intestin^ 
Prophylaxis, the art of preventing diseases 
Proximate cause, the immediate cause of disease 
Pulmonary, relating to the lungs 
Pus, corruption, digested matter 
Putrescent, tending to putrefaction or rottenness 
Putrid, rotten 

Ptyalism, a copious flow of spittle 

Pylorus, the right, or inferior orifice of the stomacli' 

Pyrexia, febrile symptoms or diseases 

Quartan, returning every fourth day 

Rectum, the straight or last great gufe 

Refrigeration, a chill, coldness 

Regimen, regulation of diet 

Regurgitate, to throw, or flow back 

Remote cause, the inducing cause of disease 

Repletion, fulness 

Resuscitation, reviving, bringing to life 
Retention, the retaining of some natural discharge 
Raeum, a discharge from the head or throat 
Ruminant, chewing tlie cud 


GLOSSAllY* 


B97: 


Saburra, foulness of the stomach 
Saccharine, relating to sugar 
Saliva, the spittle 
Salivation, an increased spitting 
Sanguineous, '' 


Sanguine, 


full of blood, warm 


Ithj 


Sanis omnia sana, all things ai’e wholesome for the heah 
Saponaceous, soapy 

Scirrhous, > a hardened gland 
Scirrhosity, y ^ 

Scorbutic, relating to the scurvy 

airs . 

Secretion, separation of the animal fluids by the glands 
Sedative, allaying 

Selenite, earth or salt united with vitriolic acid 
Semeiotica, doctrine of the symptoms of disease 
health 

Semen, the seed 
Serous, thin, watery 
Sherbet, water soured and sweetened 
Soluble, 

Solutive 


)le, I 
ive, 5 


loose, laxative, digestible 


Somnolency, a propensity to sleep 
Sordes, filth 

Spasm, cramp, convulsion 
Stamina, solids of the human body 
Sternutatory, causing sneezing 

Stimulus^^ \ ^ medicine increasing action or heat* 
Strata, layers 

Strumous, scrofulous, relating to the glands 

Stypticity, astringency 

Succedaneum, a substitute 

Sudorific, sweating 

Swooning, fainting' 

Symptomatic, relating to symptoms 
Systole, contraction of the heart 
Technical, belonging to arts 




glossary; 


Temperament, peculiar habit of body 
Temperature, state of the air 
Teribinthinse, medicines of the turpentine kiilth 
Tertian, returning every third day 
Tetanus, the locked-jaw 

Therapeutica, the knowledge of curing diseases: 

Thermometer, a weather glass 

Tormina, gripes 

Tonic, bracing, strengthening 

Tuberculous, consisting of small swellings 

Turgescence, an overfulness 

Typhus, a genus of fever comprehending those c^leS" 
nervous, yellow, and putrid 
Undulation, a waving motion 
Unmasticated, unchewed 
Uterus, the womb 

Valetudinarian, a weak sickly person 
Varices, swelled veins 
Vascular, belonging to the vessels 
Vehicle, a liquid to take medicine in 
Venous, belonging to the veins 
Ventilation, a free admission or motion of air 
Ventilator, an engine to supply air with 
Vertigo, a giddiness 
Venomous, > 

Virulent, $ Po>sonous 

Viscera, the bowels, entrails 
Vitriolic, relating to vitriol 
Vivifying, animating^ 


MEDICAL BOOKS 


COLLINS, PERKINS, & CO. NO. 189 PEARL-STREET, 

Are constantly making large additions to their 
assortment of Medical Books, which they will 
sell at wholesale and retail, on the most reason- 
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ABernethy’s surgical observations Couper on impregnation 
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Albinus’ anatomical tables of the Crichton on mental derangement 
skeleton and muscles of the hu- Cruckshank on respiration 
man body, on 51 copper-plates, Cullen’s materia medica 

with a 4to vol. of explanations - - - nosology 

American dispensatory, a new — ■■■■ ■ — practice of physic 
work, by Coxe Currie on water in fevers 

Anatomical dialogues, with pi. Darwin’s botanic garden 
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Astruc on diseases of women 
Bailiie’s morbid anatomy 
JBarcIay’s auaLum. inmicui-latuic 
Beddoes on consumption 
■Bell on ulcers 
Bell on venereal 
Bell’s system of surgery 

- do. abrid. by Waters 

Bell, (Charles) pis. of the arteries 
— ■ , plates of the brain 

. -, plates of the nerves 

. I. system of dissection 

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new edition 

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many plates 

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female complaints 


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medicina nautica, 3 volsli 


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Wilson on febrile diseases 
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Parkinson’s medical admonitions Zimmerman on experience in 
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